What to Do After Receiving an Inheritance: 5 Questions to Ask (2024)

FAQs

What to Do After Receiving an Inheritance: 5 Questions to Ask? ›

Don't spend any money before making a plan.

People often make poor financial decisions when they make them impulsively. Although it might be tempting, do not spend any of your inheritance before you have your written plan in place.

Don't spend any money before making a plan.

People often make poor financial decisions when they make them impulsively. Although it might be tempting, do not spend any of your inheritance before you have your written plan in place.

In general, any inheritance you receive does not need to be reported to the IRS. You typically don't need to report inheritance money to the IRS because inheritances aren't considered taxable income by the federal government. That said, earnings made off of the inheritance may need to be reported.

You can deposit a large cash inheritance in a savings account, either through a check or direct wire to your bank. The bigger question is what you should do with it once it's deposited. While that is ultimately your decision, it helps to have a plan. The more prepared you are before you get the inheritance.

As a beneficiary you are entitled to information regarding the trust assets and the status of the trust administration from the trustee. You are entitled to bank statements, receipts, invoices and any other information related to the trust. Be sure to ask for information in writing.

In their will, individuals may name people to administer their estate to. These individuals are called beneficiaries. A beneficiary collects what was given to them. They do not have to take part in the responsibilities as an executor does.

If you decide to have more than one beneficiary, you will allocate a percentage of the death benefit for each, so that the total allocation equals 100%. A simple example of this would be allocating 50% to your partner, and 25% to each of your two children, for a total of 100%.

Inheriting $100,000 or more is often considered sizable. This sum of money is significant, and it's essential to manage it wisely to meet your financial goals. A wealth manager or financial advisor can help you navigate how to approach this.

The average American has inherited about $58,000 as of 2022. But that's if you include the majority of us whose total lifetime inheritance sits at $0. If you look only at the lucky few who inherited anything, their average is $266,000.

Inheritances are not considered income for federal tax purposes, whether the individual inherits cash, investments or property.

How much is an average inheritance check? ›

While the average inheritance is $46,200, only a small percentage of households end up actually inheriting money. For households that do receive inheritances, the size of those windfalls can vary greatly for those in the top 1% of households compared to those in the bottom half.

Distributing assets to beneficiaries

After all debts have been paid, an estate's remaining assets — minus any probate feeds — are distributed to beneficiaries in accordance with the will, or — if there is no will — by following a state's laws of succession, otherwise known as the “order of heirs.”

Small inheritance ($20,000)

Even if you receive a modest inheritance—you have many options. One idea is to fund an emergency savings account. Experts recommend that you have six months of living expenses set aside for emergencies, and $20,000 would put you well on the way toward this goal.

Distributing assets to beneficiaries

After all debts have been paid, an estate's remaining assets — minus any probate feeds — are distributed to beneficiaries in accordance with the will, or — if there is no will — by following a state's laws of succession, otherwise known as the “order of heirs.”

Transfer assets into a trust

An irrevocable trust transfers asset ownership from the original owner to the trust beneficiaries. Because those assets don't legally belong to the person who set up the trust, they aren't subject to estate or inheritance taxes when that person passes away.