Managing an inheritance

On Behalf of | Jan 4, 2016 | Blog

Some people in Nevada who inherit money may be surprised to learn that the inheritance does not automatically make their lives easier. In fact, in some cases, people who are unprepared might make unwise decisions about an inheritance, but there are some strategies that can help prevent this.

A person who receives an inheritance may be grieving. It might be a good idea for heirs to simply put the money away for as long as a year without making any major decisions. Otherwise, people may make poor decisions.

Once people feel ready to make good decisions, they should first consider paying down certain types of debt such as student loans and credit card debt. Mortgages are not always good candidates for paying off because there may be more profitable ways to manage the money.

People should think carefully about their goals and speak to a financial expert. For example, they may want to make sure that they can pay for their children’s college but might also want to take a family vacation. Another good strategy is to use the inheritance for retirement funds. A professional can help people assess their wants and needs and make the right decision.

People who are putting together an estate plan may want to keep these difficulties in mind as well. For example, it might be possible to set up a trust to distribute funds to family members after reaching a certain age, certain milestones or over a period of time. An attorney might be able to address these concerns and make some suggestions about the best way to distribute assets. Communicating with family members about intentions for estate plans and how that money might be used may also help loved ones make good decisions about their inheritance.