(FinalCall.com)�The facts are clear: Black American men die before their spouses.

Our women out-live us and it sometimes leaves a tremendous burden on them. The death of a spouse leaves a tremendous personal void in the surviving spouse�s life. Complicating this readjustment period is a need to reassess almost all financial matters. Some areas to review include:

Your spouse�s estate. In order to expedite the processing of the estate, gather the following documents: death certificate, birth certificate, marriage certificate, Social Security number, the will, insurance policies, financial statements, account numbers for bank accounts, a list of employer fringe benefits, and the last three years� tax returns. Contact an estate attorney to review these items and notify the executor of the estate. Arrange with the executor to review the contents of safe deposit boxes.

Insurance. Contact the insurance company to obtain death claim forms for any outstanding life insurance policies. The forms must be completed and returned with a copy of the death certificate and insurance policy. Review your life insurance policies�determine if the amounts need to be adjusted or beneficiaries changed.

Benefits. Notify your spouse�s employer if he/she was receiving pension benefits or other insurance benefits from the company. Special death benefits may also be available through the employer. Contact your local Social Security office so that benefits may be adjusted.

Creditors. Notify creditors of your spouse�s death and check to see that the debts are current. Review your own debt situation.

Re-title assets. Real estate, securities, bank accounts, and other assets will have to be re-titled to remove your spouse�s name.

Investments. You may need to make decisions regarding how to invest proceeds from benefits. Take your time when making those decisions.

This can be a very difficult and trying period.