Inheritance Planning and Sudden Wealth

Receiving an inheritance can be emotional, overwhelming, and confusing.

Even when the inheritance is expected, many people feel unprepared for the financial decisions that follow. Others receive money suddenly and are unsure what to do next.

If you are asking questions like:

-What should I do after inheriting money?

-How do I invest an inheritance?

-What are the tax consequences of an inheritance?

-What should I do with an inherited IRA?

-How do I avoid making a mistake I cannot undo?

-You are not alone.

At Apriem Advisors, we help individuals and families make thoughtful, strategic decisions after receiving an inheritance, so the money supports your life, your goals, and your long term security.

What to Do After Inheriting Money

Many people feel pressure to “do something” quickly after receiving an inheritance.

In most cases, the first step is slowing down, getting organized, and making sure you understand what you inherited before making major decisions.

Inheritance planning often begins with:

  • identifying what assets you received

  • understanding how the accounts are titled

  • reviewing beneficiaries and inherited account rules

  • clarifying timelines and tax reporting requirements

  • building a short term plan for cash management

This early stage matters because small decisions can create major tax or investment consequences later.

financial advisor helping clients after receiving an inheritance
financial advisor helping clients after receiving an inheritance

Investing an Inheritance and Building a Long Term Plan

One of the most common questions we hear is “How should I invest an inheritance?”

The answer depends on your full financial picture, including your income, your retirement timeline, your debt, your current investments, and your goals.

We help clients build an inheritance investment strategy that supports:

  • long term growth

  • risk management and diversification

  • tax efficiency

  • major goals such as retirement, a home purchase, or education funding

  • a clear plan for how the inheritance fits into your overall wealth strategy

Inherited IRA Rules and Distribution Planning

Inherited retirement accounts often create the most confusion.

Many people inherit an IRA or 401(k) and do not realize that required withdrawals can create tax consequences and strict deadlines.

We help clients plan around:

  • inherited IRA distribution rules

  • 10 year inherited IRA planning strategy

  • required minimum distribution rules

  • tax planning for inherited retirement accounts

  • coordinating inherited IRA withdrawals with other income

This is one of the most important areas of inheritance planning because it can impact taxes for years.

advisor working with business owner after liquidity event
financial advisor helping clients after receiving an inheritance

Tax Planning After an Inheritance

Many inheritances are not directly taxed as income, but inheritance often creates tax issues in other ways.

Depending on what you inherit, tax planning may include:

  • capital gains planning for inherited investments

  • step up in basis planning

  • tax strategy for inherited real estate

  • tax planning for inherited retirement accounts

  • charitable giving strategies using inherited assets

Our goal is to help you keep more of what you received and avoid unnecessary tax costs.

Inheriting a House or Real Estate

 

Inheriting real estate often creates emotional and practical decisions, especially when it is a family home.

We help clients evaluate questions like:

  • Should I keep the house or sell it?

  • What are the tax consequences if I sell?

  • How do I handle inherited property with siblings?

  • What should I do with the proceeds if I sell?

Inheritance planning for real estate often includes coordinating with your CPA and attorney to avoid costly mistakes.

advisor working with business owner after liquidity event
planning what to do after inheriting money

Updating Your Financial Plan After an Inheritance

An inheritance can change your financial life in meaningful ways, even if the amount is modest.

It may impact:

  • retirement timing

  • debt payoff decisions

  • investment strategy

  • charitable giving goals

  • estate planning and beneficiary strategy

  • planning for children and future generations

We help clients update their financial plan so the inheritance becomes part of a clear long term strategy.

Financial Planning for Sudden Wealth

Some clients receive money through more than inheritance.

Sudden wealth can also come from:

  • a large bonus

  • a legal settlement

  • a business sale

  • a concentrated stock event

  • an unexpected windfall

Sudden wealth planning is about building a thoughtful strategy, reducing risk, and protecting long term security.

planning what to do after inheriting money
planning what to do after inheriting money

Who We Work With

We work with individuals and families who:

  • recently received an inheritance

  • are expecting an inheritance and want to plan ahead

  • inherited an IRA, 401(k), or other retirement account

  • inherited a house or investment property

  • want help investing inherited assets

  • want guidance from a financial advisor after an inheritance

How We Help as an Inheritance Planning Advisor

Inheritance planning is not just about investing.

It is about bringing structure and clarity to a financial moment that can feel emotional and overwhelming.

Our work often includes:

  • financial planning and cash flow strategy

  • investment management for inherited assets

  • inherited IRA planning

  • tax planning coordination

  • estate planning and beneficiary review

  • ongoing planning support as your life evolves

planning what to do after inheriting money

Ready for Guidance After an Inheritance?

If you have inherited money and want help making smart decisions, we would be honored to support you.