New York, N.Y.: August 4, 2026. Licensed psychologist and author Dr. Patricia A. Farrell releases "When a Spouse Dies" today as an ebook and paperback on Amazon and other major book-selling sites.

The book is written for anyone whose husband, wife, or partner has just died and who is now the one left to handle everything. It covers what to do in the first hours after a death, the paperwork and money matters of the first 30 days, legal issues like wills and property, building a budget and a stable financial life alone, health care, housing decisions, and grief. Two chapters are aimed directly at readers who live with a disability or who don't have grown children to call for help.

"I wrote this book because grief already takes so much energy, and no one going through it should have to translate confusing legal or financial language on top of everything else," said Dr. Farrell. "I wanted something that breaks the big, scary jobs into small steps you can actually do, so you always know what to do next."

Every legal and financial term in the book is explained in plain language the first time it appears. Chapters are short and can be read in any order, and many include a checklist so readers can track what they've done. The book avoids comparing grief to a storm, a journey, or anything else. It sticks to plain, direct guidance instead.

"When a Spouse Dies" is part of Dr. Farrell's Pocket Companion Series, which also includes "When Your Mind Won't Stop," "After the Loss: Finding Your Way Through Grief," "You Are Enough: Rebuilding Your Self-Worth," "At the Crossroads: Making Decisions When Nothing Feels Clear," "When People Hurt: Navigating Difficult Relationships," and "When You Feel Stuck: Finding Movement in Hard Times."

About the Author

Dr. Patricia A. Farrell is a licensed psychologist and the author of numerous self-help books. She has appeared as an expert guest on national television shows, including Today, The View, AC360, Court TV, and MSNBC, and served as a WebMD psychologist expert and consultant. She was formerly a medical consultant for Social Security Disability Determinations and a psychiatric researcher at Mount Sinai Medical Center. She has more than four decades of experience in mental health and is listed in Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in America, and Who's Who in American Women.