Heirs receiving an inheritance can expect the process to take time. Having a plan for the money and consulting with professionals are also things to keep in mind.
Getting an inheritance can feel very much like a mixed blessing. It often comes after the passing of a loved one – while you’re dealing with the emotions of losing them and trying to organize financial and administrative affairs. You can’t always predict what is left in a will, but if you have received or anticipate receiving some type of inheritance, there are important things to consider that can help you prepare for the issues that heirs face.
1. Expect the Process to Take Time.
Settling an estate is a big task. When a decedent’s affairs aren’t in order, it’s an even bigger task. In fact, Gallup estimates that less than half of U.S. adults have a will.
The probate process can be avoided if assets are held in trust, but even distributions from trusts carry their own complexities at times. Because of that and many other potential speed bumps along the way, settling an estate can take several months, sometimes years. Being armed with this information will help you manage expectations related to the timing of when you’ll receive your inheritance.
The executor or Personal Representative (the person appointed to administer the will) must notify beneficiaries and interested parties, pay outstanding bills, close accounts, take inventory of assets and determine if any of the assets not part of the will must go through probate. Then they must file with the IRS to pay taxes. Only after all of that is taken care of can the assets finally be distributed to close the estate.
2. Have a Plan for the Money.
Take your time. Getting an inheritance can feel like found money, and we often fall prey to a bias called mental accounting, where we sort our money into different “accounts” and so treat each group of money differently. In a particular studies have found that people are more likely to spend a small inheritance and invest a large one. Factors such as where the money came from or its intended use influence how it’s spent (or saved), but a dollar that you are given should be treated just the same as a dollar that’s earned.
This is an opportunity to put the money toward some practicalities, including ways to help protect your future. Before taking off to spend the inheritance on fun stuff, consider building up your emergency fund, paying off high-interest debt and putting some savings toward long-term goals.
Once you’ve addressed your financial priorities, then it’s OK to start thinking about spending the money on something fun. Maybe you’ll want to plan a trip somewhere that was special to you and your loved one, or support a cause that was close to their heart. Or maybe there’s an utterly impractical purchase that you’ve always hankered after. All these are even more enjoyable when your mind isn’t burdened with competing financial goals.
3. Seek Advice From Professionals.
The rules on inheriting assets can be nuanced. For example, there are times when inheritors may have what’s called a step-up-in-basis provision for taxes. This allows heirs to have the valuation of their inherited property be equal to its fair market value at the date of death – instead of the lower price at which it was purchased. This is a strategy that helps minimize capital gains taxes on inherited assets that have appreciated over time.
If this already sounds confusing, it’s because inheritance rules can be complex and specific. An estate planning attorney will be able to walk you through whether this potential benefit, or any others, applies to you. Seeking advice from estate professionals ensures that you navigate this complicated paperwork legally and smoothly.
Unless you are inheriting an amount over the federal estate tax exemption amount, which is $12.92 million for 2023, you will not have to pay federal estate taxes – which are as high as 40%. A CPA can help you navigate through the numerous rules, which can be confusing and costly if you make a mistake. The state of Washington also has an estate tax to consider as well, which is only $2.193 million for 2023.
4. Take Time to Review Your Own Estate Plan.
As someone who is inheriting money – and maybe even acting as the executor of the estate – you’ll learn all about proper planning and communication. That understanding should motivate you to make your own estate administration as easy as possible after you are gone.
This includes keeping clear records of all your accounts, along with any estate plan documents including trusts, wills, powers of attorney and advance health care directives. And you should keep them all in a place that is accessible to those responsible for administering your estate.
Try to talk to your family about your finances while you are still around. Finding answers when someone is gone is far harder than having fearless conversations now. The best gift that you can give the friends and family you leave behind is doing proper planning.
Receiving an inheritance is an opportunity to make a difference in your own life. Take the time to map out your current financial position and future goals. Setting yourself up for a solid future is a great way to honor and remember the person who has passed.