Inherited wealth, beneficiaries and heirs

Inheritance can be complicated. It is a topic that includes money, family and death, often among people who have never talked openly about finances.

It is common to have mixed emotions when you receive cash, property, investments, or heirlooms after the death of a person who was important to you. Sadness and grief can mingle with the excitement of receiving a windfall. Changing family dynamics can cause tension, conflicts and surprises. You may feel grateful, responsible, resentful, or even unworthy. Many times, inheritors would rather have the person in their lives, not their money.

Whether you come into a little money or a lot, it makes sense to take time to think about how it fits into your own life plan and how it can shape your future.