I'm a new widow, and everyone thinks they know what's best for my life.

My father all ways said to not make any major decisions for a year after a death. If the partner can handle the business with your help, maybe you could hang on for a bit, as far as the house, put it on the market, and downsize to an affordable place you'd like to live. If you can afford the mortgage, wait a bit. Nothing has to be done 'right away' and if you are being pressured into acting quickly, you may make decisions you are not happy with. My husband also died, but it was 3 years ago now. We knew he was going to die, so there was time to plan on doing things, and I planned on doing nothing for a year. Deciding to do nothing, to not make changes for a while is also a decision. Condo living is sometimes not all it's cracked up to be. There are fees and maintenance schedules you'll be responsible for that you may not be able to comply with on a reduced income. Give yourself some breathing room, take your time, and make real sure it's YOUR decision, not one that someone is pressuring you into. Moving in with someone, even a well-meaning child, may not be what will make you happiest. Or them for that matter. You have time, Your probate attorney may be able to give you some advise as far as taxes and other financial matters. You'll get through this, just make sure you get through it and come out happy on the other side. It is nice your son wants to protect and care for you, and depending on the situation you'd be in, like an apartment of your own in his home, it might be better for you, but what if you want to date later on? I'm 58, so I know that is a possiblity for your life. Your financial advisor may be giving you good advise, ask him for the pros and cons of your continuing to work with the company. You are only 50, and you have to do something, and with today's economy, it may be a good thing to be doing, instead of being unemployed. But, take a week, go to bed, turn off the phone and indulge yourself a while, you are entitiled to take some time. It'll work out, trust me, it really will. The part of having a death in the family of someone you love that is so aggrivating to me was that the rest of the world went on as if nothing signifigant has happened, while to me, his death left me devastated and alone. In time, the lonliness becomes solitude, and that's not so bad. My best wishes are with you, take care, and if this remains so overwhelming for you, please see a doctor for medication to help you through this. I'm rooting for you, and I believe you will make sound decisions for yourself. Janet

The response was direct, honest and reassuring, positive in its attitude. Reality is hard to come by. Thank you.

You need to mourn and go through grieving natural. There is no set duration, but individualistic. Feel your feelings and do cry and feel sad. It is a process. Do not rush it, and don't let anyone rush you. When you are ready, you will take steps to move on. Can you run the company and maintain status quo until you are ready to take the next step?

It is similar to my situation in that I lost my husband 4 months ago, and he always took care of everything. Now I have to and I'm unsure of what he would do were he still here. Life has taken so many twists and turns since then, and with 5 children all putting thier opinions in, I get confused at times. I'm 50 also and ready to finally start my own career in psychology, but still hesitant if I am ready to do this, especially now that he's gone. My life has changed in so many waysI feel so lost sometimes, but I've done the sleeping all the time, and the crying and the praying and asking for information and asked til I can't ask anymore of anyone and no one can make any decisions for me, I know, I guess I'm just not ready to make any concrete decisions without him yet. But, at least this article lets me know I'm not doing anything wrong, and what I'm doing is pretty much normal.

I have been where you are at in life . My advise is slow down take time to deal with your grief make the decisions that you really want. Children do not understand where you are in life nor does anyone else that hasn/t been thru the death of a spouse I have been thru it twice along with the death of a child . Listen to financial advisors and business advisors then make your own decision and remember in investing the financial advisor makes money don't be influenced to do something that is against your own belief. I would wait at least a year before selloing the home etc as a year from now you may have an entirely different outlook and always remember once somethig is sold you can't go back be very careful what you sell or give away and above all watch out for the scammers they are out there waiting