CFP®-certified financial advisors working with widows and widowers in California
The right financial advisor for you depends on how you weigh location, expertise, experience, the clients they typically serve, and how they work with you.
Losing a spouse often means facing sudden financial decisions while managing emotional stress. You need an advisor who understands the unique challenges widows and widowers face, especially avoiding rushed choices that could jeopardize your financial security.
- Income and tax shifts. Ask how they handle changes in income sources and the impact of California's high state taxes alongside property tax limits under Proposition 13.
- Survivor benefits navigation. Confirm their experience guiding clients through Social Security and pension survivor benefits to maximize your income.
- Estate and beneficiary updates. Ensure they review and update your estate plans and beneficiary designations promptly after your loss.
- Emotional sensitivity. Look for advisors who recognize the emotional toll and pace their advice to your readiness, not just financial urgency.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
-
Catherine C
CFP®
Oakland, CA
Curtis Financial Planning
Catherine Curtis is well-equipped to assist widows and widowers in California, combining her CFP® certification with 13 years of experience and a focus on demographic specialties including widow/widower and single women. Operating independently in Oakland, her firm offers flat-fee and AUM-based pricing, emphasizing strategic asset allocation and diversified portfolios, which may appeal to high-net-worth clients seeking personalized, fee-only financial planning.
Experience: 13 years
Avg account: $2,151,316
-
Erin L
CFP®, ChFC®, Series 66
Lodi, CA
Edward Jones
Erin Lenser is a CFP®-certified advisor in California specializing in widow/widower clients, offering expertise in retirement income strategy, estate planning, and inheritance planning. Working at Edward Jones, a large full-service firm managing over $1 trillion in assets, she provides a comprehensive approach with a program fee up to 1.35% annually, distinguishing her through extensive firm resources and a focus on women professionals and multi-generational wealth transfer.
Experience: 10 years
Avg account: $246,728
-
Michal S
CFP®
San Francisco, CA
Skylark Wealth, LLC
Michal Skowronski is a CFP®-certified advisor in San Francisco specializing in widow/widower financial needs, with 9 years of experience and expertise in inherited wealth and general retirement planning. As founder of Skylark Wealth, he offers a flat-fee structure and serves high-net-worth Gen X clients, combining fiduciary-level personal service with advanced technology to manage assets flexibly and align incentives for long-term success.
Experience: 10 years
Avg account: $1,795,806
-
Jennifer B
CFP®
San Jose, CA
Intentional Wealth Partners
Jennifer Bush is well-equipped to assist widows and widowers in California, offering a compassionate, holistic approach to managing financial transitions such as loss of a spouse. With 10 years of experience, she provides flat-fee and asset-based pricing, specializes in budgeting and estate planning, and understands the unique challenges faced by women navigating life changes, setting her apart from other advisors in the region.
Experience: 10 years
Avg account: $395,671
-
Michael R
CFP®, CFA®, EA
San Diego, CA
Oak Summit Wealth Management, Inc.
Michael Randall is well-equipped to assist widows and widowers in California with his CFP® certification and expertise in retirement income strategy and tax planning, addressing income shifts and survivor benefits. His background as a Chartered Financial Analyst® and IRS Enrolled Agent, combined with experience at large advisory firms, allows him to offer advanced, tax-efficient strategies with a flat-fee option, distinguishing him through personalized, boutique-level service in San Diego.
Experience: 8 years
Avg account: $901,244
Want help finding the right advisor?
Answer a few questions to see advisors matched to you.
Advisors focused on
People also searched
Popular in California
Find advisors by type
Not sure where to start?
We'll help you think it through—whether you ultimately need an advisor or not. Warmer helps you compare advisors clearly, so you can choose with confidence.
For advisor listings, we rely on sources including public filings and data provided by advisors, and we cannot guarantee that all information is current or accurate. Advisors are independent and may not have reviewed or updated this information. Please review an advisor's Form ADV and do your own diligence before deciding whether to work with them.
Advisor matching and referrals are provided by FinanceHQ LLC ("FHQ"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Warmer and an SEC-registered investment adviser. We may be compensated by participating advisors. You pay no fee to use our matching service, and advisor fees are not increased because of a referral. We do not supervise advisors, manage or hold assets, guarantee performance, or provide advice about specific investments.
By using our service, you agree to the Warmer Terms of Service and FHQ Advisory Agreement, and acknowledge Warmer's Privacy Policy. Please review FHQ's ADV Part 2A and Form CRS. Logos provided by Logo.dev
© 2026 Warmer Holdings Inc. ("Warmer")