Inheriting Wealth: What Every Woman Should Know Before (and After) the Transition

Receiving an inheritance can be life-changing—but it’s also deeply personal. It often arrives during a time of grief, comes with emotional and financial complexity, and carries expectations—spoken or unspoken—about how it will be used.

For many women, especially those who didn’t grow up talking openly about wealth, inheriting money can stir feelings of guilt, anxiety, confusion, or even isolation.

The truth is, inheritance is not simply a financial event—it’s a transition. And how you prepare for it (or respond to it) can shape your legacy, your relationships, and your long-term financial security.

1. Understand What You’re Inheriting—and Why It Matters

Before making any decisions, take time to understand what you’ve actually received. The form of the inheritance—cash, property, retirement accounts, investments—determines everything from tax implications to transfer timing.

Key Questions to Ask:

  • What type of assets am I receiving? (IRA, trust distributions, real estate, etc.)

  • Are there required timelines for action (e.g., inherited IRA withdrawals)?

  • Is the inheritance governed by a trust, or am I receiving it outright?

  • Are there other beneficiaries involved?

Apriem Insight: Not all inheritances are liquid—or simple. Knowing the structure helps you avoid costly mistakes.

2. Pause Before Making Major Financial Decisions

Grief and windfalls don’t mix well. Many financial missteps happen in the first 6–12 months after receiving an inheritance—especially when emotions run high.

What to Avoid Early On:

  • Making large gifts or loans to family and friends

  • Buying major assets (homes, cars, businesses)

  • Quitting your job without a long-term financial plan

  • Assuming the inheritance will last forever

Apriem Insight: Give yourself time to breathe. The best decisions come after the dust has settled—not in the early days of loss.

3. Assemble Your Financial Support Team

An inheritance may increase your net worth—but it also increases your need for coordination. You may suddenly face new tax brackets, estate planning concerns, or investment choices you’ve never dealt with before.

Consider Working With:

  • A fiduciary financial advisor who can help align the assets with your personal goals

  • A CPA or tax advisor who understands inheritance tax rules (including step-up in basis, IRA rules, etc.)

  • An estate planning attorney to update your own plan based on your new assets

  • A therapist or grief counselor, if needed—because this transition is emotional, too

Apriem Insight: Inheriting wealth is a responsibility. You don’t have to carry it alone.

4. Revisit Your Personal Financial Plan

An inheritance doesn’t just impact your current life—it can reshape your future. Use this opportunity to reevaluate what’s possible and how you want your money to reflect your values.

Questions to Consider:

  • How does this inheritance change my financial independence or retirement goals?

  • Does it allow me to work less, give more, or invest differently?

  • What kind of legacy do I want to build?

Apriem Insight: Your inheritance can fuel your purpose—not just your lifestyle—if aligned with a thoughtful plan.

5. Address Family Dynamics with Sensitivity

Inheritances often bring out long-standing family tensions or unresolved emotions. You may need to navigate strained relationships, conflicting expectations, or questions about fairness.

Tips for Handling Family Complexity:

  • Stay grounded in facts—use documentation to avoid hearsay

  • Set clear boundaries around requests for help or money

  • Consider a neutral third-party (like a financial advisor) for tough conversations

  • Allow space for grief—yours and others’

Apriem Insight: An inheritance can trigger more than financial reactions. Emotional intelligence is just as valuable as financial literacy.

6. Use Your Inheritance to Shape the Legacy You’ll One Day Leave

The wealth you’ve inherited is part of someone else’s legacy—but it also becomes a piece of yours. Consider how you want to steward it and what values you hope to carry forward.

Ideas for Purposeful Stewardship:

  • Create a giving plan or establish a donor-advised fund

  • Invest in education, property, or ventures that align with your long-term goals

  • Talk with your children or heirs about what this inheritance means to you

  • Document your own wishes—so your future legacy is clearly communicated

Apriem Insight: Your story continues from here. You have the chance to turn an inheritance into inspiration—for yourself and others.

Your Inheritance Is More Than a Windfall—It’s a Turning Point

Receiving wealth from a loved one is both an honor and a responsibility. With the right support, you can use it to strengthen your own future, support others, and build a legacy that reflects the values that matter most to you.

Need Help Navigating an Inheritance?

Apriem Advisors can guide you through the emotional and financial complexity of receiving wealth—from what to do first to how to make it last. Email bri@apriem.com to start the conversation.