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How to Cope With an Inheritance

Thinking statue

If you have inherited wealth or are likely to in the future,here are some tips to keep in mind:

  1. Take your time to grieve and cope with the lossas many major decisions can wait while you take time to make rationaldecisions.
  2. With so many potential pitfalls out there, seekthe help of an experienced professional.
  3. Think about your own family as a windfall maymake trust creation and other measures a new necessity.
  4. If your inheritance comes in the form of an IRA,consider not cashing out and allowing the gains to continue compounding.
  5. Consider disclaiming some, or all, of the giftif it makes sense.
  6. Do what’s best for you—remember the money is nowyours and you should allocate assets in line with your needs.

See Scott Bombeck,Coping With an Inheritance, Examiner,July 30, 2013.