Wondering how to survive the death of a spouse? In this video, attorney Eric Olsen shares strategies that can make life easier and ease financial burdens for seniors who find themselves suddenly alone.

Time Stamps
0:00 Introducing life decisions where you could help your spouse
0:58 Introduction to Attorney Eric Olsen and his legal experience
1:27 It’s important to consider what will happen to your wife when you die
2:21 When someone dies, lower Social Security payment goes away
3:25 Try to get survivors benefit on a pension
4:04 Don’t spend your retirement money to pay down debt
5:10 When buying a home, make sure surviving spouse can afford monthly payment
6:15 Don’t use IRA to pay credit card debt
7:25 Practically speaking, surviving spouse is not required to pay off partner’s credit card debt if an authorized user
9:33 What couples should do when buying a home together
12:30 If there’s a will, debts must be paid before heirs get anything
14:17 Medical debts and the Doctrine of Necessity
16:18 Nearly all forms of retirement income are protected from debt collectors by law
17:10 How to not pay federal income tax owed: Currently NonCollectible Status
19:30 How lowincome seniors can avoid paying student loans
19:49 What can couples do to help surviving spouse collect Social Security benefits?
21:10 You’re better off being married than just living together as a couple
22:36 How to help your surviving spouse with your pension
23:45 How to help your surviving spouse with your life insurance
26:00 If you have a lot of debt, you can choose not to pay it and preserve your funds for your surviving spouse
26:29 How to contact HELPS Nonprofit Law Firm

Of course it’s a tragedy when a spouse passes away. Sadly, the pain and suffering are often compounded by the significant drop in household income, especially for a surviving spouse. Attorney Eric Olsen heads the HELPS Nonprofit Law Firm, which helps educate lowincome seniors and others to increase their financial independence. In this video, Eric explains what people should do when they buy a house, take out credit cards, collect a pension, apply for Social Security, and more. Many of these steps to help your spouse can be taken a long time before your golden years begin.

Jeff Hoyt is SeniorLiving.org’s EditorinChief.

For the best way poor seniors can avoid paying taxes, watch
   • The Best (Legal) Way to Avoid Paying ...  

For why seniors don't have to worry about old debts, watch    • Why Seniors Shouldn't Worry about Old...  

To watch Attorney Eric Olsen explain why seniors don't have to worry about student loans, check out    • How Seniors can Avoid Paying Student ...  

Subscribe to SeniorLiving.org on YouTube:
   / @seniorlivingorg  

For more tips for seniors: https://www.seniorliving.org/

If you're interested in joining the hundreds of thousands of families who've found senior living communities on SeniorLiving.org, read the reviews on our website: https://www.seniorliving.org/housing/

To contact the HELPS Nonprofit Law Firm, call 18554357787 or visit helpsishere.org.