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Widowhood and Wealth: Questionnaire

Introduction to the Survey

Hello! Thank you for considering participation in this important research study.
My name is Lori Powell. I am an American businesswoman based in Reno, Nevada. With nearly forty years of experience in the financial services industry, I am currently pursuing a doctoral degree at Middlesex University in London. My research focuses on the experiences of widowed women in the United States and their relationships with financial advisers. This study aims to enhance our understanding of the factors that influence widows' decisions to either remain with or change financial advisers after losing a spouse.

The study has received full ethical clearance from the Transdisciplinary DProf Research Ethics Committee at Middlesex University who reviewed the study - Application Number 28593.

This survey represents the first phase of my research, providing an essential foundation for identifying current trends and themes that will guide deeper discussions in subsequent phases. The insights you will share are invaluable. They will help me illuminate how financial professionals can better support widowed clients during this significant life transition.
Please plan approximately 20–30 minutes to complete the survey.
Privacy Statement: Your privacy is important to me and to Middlesex University. All responses to this questionnaire will be kept strictly confidential and used solely for academic research purposes. No personally identifiable information is being collected, and there is no way to link your responses back to you as an individual.

Because this survey is designed to be anonymous, you cannot and will not be contacted or targeted by any person, organization, financial institution, or other entity based on your participation.

Data will be aggregated and anonymized in all analysis and reporting, ensuring that only combined results are shared.

Participation in this survey is voluntary, and you may choose to skip any question or stop your participation at any time without consequence.

Completion of this anonymous questionnaire is considered as your consent to take part in this study.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at LP606@live.mdx.ac.uk. Thank you for your time and for sharing your experiences.
Before We Begin...

Before we begin, we’d like to confirm that your responses to this survey reflect your lived experience.
For the purposes of this study, a “financial adviser” is defined as a licensed professional who provides investment management and/or comprehensive financial planning services. This could include services such as retirement planning, portfolio management, tax and estate planning strategies, or financial guidance on major life decisions. This does not include professionals who solely sell insurance products or manage banking transactions unless they were also providing broader financial planning services.
Confirmation of Adviser Relationship
1.Please confirm that you and your spouse had an established relationship with a financial adviser prior to your spouse’s passing:
If you selected ‘Yes,’ please proceed to Section 1 (Question 2).
If you selected 'No' or ‘Other,’ please skip ahead to Section 4 (Question 21) and continue with the questions that follow. You are welcome to answer those that reflect your experience and skip any that do not apply. Your perspective is valuable and helps us better understand the many different paths women navigate after loss.
Section 1: Your Household’s Financial Approach (Before Loss)
In this section, please think back to the time when you and your spouse were managing your household finances together. These questions will help us understand how financial decisions were made and how you experienced your relationship with a financial adviser at that time.

Instruction: Unless otherwise directed, please select the single best answer to each question.
2.How long had you and your spouse worked with the adviser?
3.Who primarily handled financial planning in your household?
4.How involved were you in meetings with the financial adviser?
5.How would you describe your financial adviser’s level of direct engagement with you?
Section 2: The First Phase After Your Loss

The questions in this section focus on the period immediately following your spouse’s passing. We are particularly interested in understanding your interactions with the financial adviser who worked with you and your spouse before your loss. These questions will help us learn about the support you received and how confident and prepared you felt during this time.

Instruction: Unless otherwise directed, please select the single best answer to each question.
6.How soon did you first interact with a financial adviser after your spouse's passing?
7.How did your adviser handle your transition to managing finances alone?
8.Did your adviser have experience working with widows?
9.How prepared did you feel to manage your financial situation?
10.What immediate challenges did you face? (Select all that apply)
Note: I appreciate that these questions may bring up strong emotions or memories. Please take a moment to pause or step away if you need before continuing. Your willingness to share is deeply valued.
Section 3: Adviser Relationship Decisions

Here, we’d like to learn about your decisions regarding financial advisers, including whether you continued working with the same adviser or chose a new path, and how you approached building those relationships.

Instructions:
• Unless otherwise directed, please select the single best answer to each question.
• If you are still deciding or have not worked with a new adviser, please skip questions that do not apply to your situation.
11.Are your investment accounts still with the adviser who served you and your spouse?
12.If you stayed with that adviser, why? (Select all that apply)
13.If you changed advisers and moved your investment accounts, how long did it take to make that decision following your spouse’s passing?
14.What were your reasons for leaving the previous advisory relationship? (Select all that apply)
15.When choosing a financial adviser, was gender a factor in your decision?
16.If you found a new adviser, how long did it take before you felt a sense of trust and mutual understanding in the working relationship?
17.What influenced your choice of a new adviser? (Select all that apply)
18.If you searched for positive reviews, what sources did you use? For instance, you might think of places like adviser websites, Google, LinkedIn, Instagram, local media, or ChatGPT. Please share any and all sources you personally used.
19.Was there a particular strategy or service you were seeking? Please describe.
20.If an adviser’s certifications were important to you, which ones did you seek out? For instance, you might include certifications such as CFP (Certified Financial Planner), CPA (Certified Public Accountant), Certified Grief Counselor, or Certified Coach, or others that mattered to you. Please list any and all credentials you felt were necessary for an adviser to have.
Section 4: Your Current Financial Relationships

Please consider your current circumstances and how your financial decisions and relationships are managed today.

Instruction: Unless otherwise directed, please select the single best answer to each question.
21.Are you in a new long-term romantic relationship?
22.If you are currently in a relationship, does your partner influence your financial decisions?
23.If you are currently in a relationship, do you now work with your new partner’s adviser?
24.If you are currently single, do you feel advisers treat you differently than when you were married?
25.If you have remained single, how has your financial adviser's engagement with you changed? (Select all that apply)
Section 5: Qualities and Services You Value

The following questions ask about your experience with your financial adviser after your spouse’s passing. There are no right or wrong answers. Please reflect on your own experience and opinions.

Instruction: Using the following scale for Q26, Q27, and Q28, please click the number that best matches your personal experience:
1 – Did not meet my needs at all
2 – Met my needs somewhat
3 – Met my needs neither well nor poorly
4 – Met my needs well
5 – Fully met my needs
26.Thinking about immediate, tangible tasks — such as handling paperwork, account changes, insurance claims, or short-term financial decisions — how well did your adviser meet your practical needs?
1
2
3
4
5
27.Thinking about feeling supported, understood, and respected during a time of grief — how well did your adviser meet your personal needs?
1
2
3
4
5
28.Thinking about planning for your future — such as creating a new financial plan, preparing for retirement, or redefining goals for the years ahead — how well did your adviser meet your strategic needs?
1
2
3
4
5
29.When working with a financial adviser after the loss of a spouse, how important is each of the following qualities to you?
Not important
Low importance
Moderate importance
High importance
Essential
Empathy (Shows care and sensitivity when discussing financial matters and life changes.)
Understanding of your unique situation (Demonstrates awareness of the emotional and practical challenges associated with widowhood.)
Clear and understandable explanations (Explains financial concepts in ways that are easy to understand, without jargon.)
Proactive communication (Reaches out regularly to keep you informed rather than waiting for you to ask.)
Accessibility (Is available when needed -- by phone, email, or virtual/in-person meetings.)
Timely responsiveness (Responds promptly to questions or concerns.)
Specialized expertise for widows (Has experience and training in guiding widows through financial decisions.)
Respectful pacing (Paces conversations and decision-making to give you time to process information without feeling rushed.)
30.Based on your experience, please rate the importance of a financial adviser offering the following services to women in the first year following a spouse's passing.
Not important
Low importance
Moderate importance
High Importance
Essential
Unsure
Advocacy with financial institutions
Estate settlement assistance
Guidance on survivor benefits and pensions
Support creating a new financial plan
Investment education
Health care expense education
Life insurance education
Regular check-ins as needs evolve
Budgeting and daily expense help
Collaboration with attorneys/tax advisers
Referrals to grief counselors and/or widow support organizations
Other
31.If you are a widowed parent with children at home, what challenges do you face? (Select all that apply)
Section 6: About You

We’re almost done! As a reminder, this is an anonymous survey; all responses are confidential.

The following background questions are presented to better understand the context of your experience and help us interpret survey results more effectively.
32.Your current age group:
33.Your age group at the time you became a widow:
34.How long ago did your spouse pass away?
35.Highest level of education completed:
36.Current vocational/life status (select all that apply):
37.Number of household members currently employed:
38.Please estimate your total household income before taxes.
Section 7: Invitation to Continue

Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences in this questionnaire. Your participation is deeply appreciated, and your responses play an important role in building understanding.

This final question invites you to consider participating in Phase 2 of the study, which involves a confidential, one-on-one Zoom conversation. These conversations are expected to take place in June and July 2026, typically lasting 60–75 minutes. They will provide an opportunity to share your perspectives and experiences in your own words, offering 'real world' stories that can play an important role in helping improve how widowed women are served and supported in the future.
39.Would you be open to sharing more about your experiences with financial advisers?
If yes: Please click my email address: LP606@live.mdx.ac.uk. Add 1:1 conversation to the subject line of the message and simply hit the ‘send’ button. You will receive more information, sent in reply to your email address, about scheduling a Zoom conversation in the next few months. Thank you for your participation in this written survey and your interest and consideration of additional contributions to this research project.

If no: Thank you for taking part in this survey. I deeply appreciate the information you’ve shared. Your contributions to Phase 1 of this research are essential to my efforts and will help shape recommendations for improving how the financial services industry supports widowed women.