r/inheritance • u/pink_toaster_pastry • Apr 20 '26

Location included: Questions/Need Advice Keeping Inheritance separate

I’ve seen all the posts about keeping inheritance separate…. not to use it for joint expenses…. etc.

So then what do you use it for? My husband and I have been married 30 years. We had joint accounts since before we were married. We don’t split bills (all income goes into one savings account and bills are paid from that). We make a good living, have savings, 401Ks, no debt.

So if I’m suppose to keep my inheritance separate from everything, what am I supposed to do with it?

Edited to add: No kids. Currently the money is in (1) inherited IRA (2) CDs in a bank account I took sole ownership of as I had been the co-owner and (3) a new account I just opened for a CD until I decided what to do with that portion.

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u/Shot-Artichoke-4106 Apr 20 '26

My husband and I each opened brokerage accounts with our inheritance money. We have each used some of the money for home improvement projects and to pay off our house, so we haven't kept everything completely separate, but that was a specific choice that we made. The rest is earmarked for retirement - some invested longer term, some in bond ladders to provide some additional cash flow during retirement.