Wealth with Intention

The most common types of inherited assets are cash and bank accounts, taxable brokerage accounts, retirement accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s, real estate, life insurance proceeds, business interests, and personal property. Each one comes with different tax treatment, different rules, and different decisions for you to make. Understanding what you have is the first step toward handling it well.

Why This Matters More Than Most People Realize

When people think about inheritance, they often picture a check. The reality is usually more complicated.

Most estates are a mix of assets, and each type works differently. The mistake that costs people the most is treating everything the same, making decisions quickly without understanding that an inherited IRA and an inherited brokerage account, for example, have almost nothing in common from a tax perspective.

This post walks through the most common types of inherited assets, what each one means for you, and what to watch out for. If you are ju...

In the first 30 days after inheriting money, the most important thing you can do is slow down. Gather a complete inventory of what you inherited, park any liquid cash somewhere safe like a high-yield savings account, get a basic understanding of the tax picture, and start assembling a team of professionals. Most financial decisions can wait 30 to 90 days. Almost none of them require immediate action.

Why the First 30 Days Matter More Than You Think

Inheriting money is rarely just a financial event.

It usually arrives in the middle of grief, family dynamics, and decisions you were not expecting to make. And somewhere in all of that, someone is telling you that you need to act fast.

You don't. Not on most of it.

What you do in the first 30 days is not about making moves. It is about getting grounded, getting clear, and protecting yourself from the mistakes that are easiest to make when emotions are running high.

Here is what actually matters right now.

Step 1. Give Yourself Permis...

Inheriting wealth is rarely simple. Along with the financial windfall often comes grief, confusion, and the weight of responsibility. Maybe you've recently lost a parent or loved one, and now you're faced with managing money you never expected to have. It's a lot to process, and it's okay to feel overwhelmed.

While I can't take away the emotional complexity of this moment, I can help you avoid some of the most common financial mistakes I see clients make during this transition. Here are six pitfalls to watch out for—and how to navigate them with intention.

1. Making Big Decisions Too Quickly

When money suddenly appears in your account, it's tempting to act fast. Maybe you've been dreaming of a new car, or you want to help family members, or you think you should invest it immediately before you "waste" it.

I get it. But here's what I've seen happen: clients who rush into major purchases or investments often regret those decisions within a year or two.

What to do instead: Give yours...