Many older couples avoid talking about “the elephant in the room;” i.e., death and widowhood. In some situations, one spouse “handles the bills” and the other knows little about family finances. As couples get older, the likelihood of widowhood increases. However, many surviving spouses are unprepared for financial challenges that lie ahead. This class will discuss steps that couples can take to prepare financially for the inevitable first death and steps to take afterward. Topics to be covered include financial record-keeping, estate tax portability, communication about finances and changes in income and income taxes.