Planning To Avoid Utah Inheritance Failures

Planning for an inheritance can be thorny. You can be consumed by unrealistic ideas and make a number of missteps that could reduce the value of what you receive over time. Taking a few preparatory steps can help ensure that the money will last to meet your major financial needs.

We tend to think and talk about how hard it can be to plan to give away, bequeath, or otherwise disseminate your estate. After all, you have so many personal, financial, and legal variables to consider. On the other hand, being on the receiving end of an inheritance can be just as challenging.

Anyone can spend a buck and a few can spend wisely. Nevertheless, only a few will have the forethought to plan and make the most of an inheritance. When you receive an inheritance planning for its use in your own financial plan is essential.

If an inheritance may be in your future, then you ought to read a recent Morningstar article titled “How to Plan for an Inheritance: 6 Things You Need to Know.”

As the title suggests, there are six things you need to know according to Morningstar to make the most of the opportunity. While the original article goes into more depth, here are the six things for you to ponder:

1. What kind of assets will you receive?
2. How will the assets be distributed?
3. Have you done your own financial planning first?
4. When you get the money, what are your priorities?
5. What are your obligations?
6. Is the inheritance transparent?

You can plan entirely on your own assumptions, but that can be a tricky way to plan. This is where communication is key – intergenerational communication.  Talking with your parents is a delicate and difficult task.  I have previously blogged about this and you should review that thread before you undertake that communication.

It is a wise estate planner who educates prospective inheritors regarding these “6 things” identified by Morningstar and likely even more. In the end, planning for the transfer of an inheritance can be a family activity with one generation giving to and guiding the next generation.

Reference: Morningstar (August 30, 2013) “How to Plan for an Inheritance: 6 Things You Need to Know”