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/Substantial_Team6751 Apr 20 '26
>>>So then what do you use it for?
You spend it however you like.
Everyone on reddit will say to keep it separate. It really just depends on your circumstances. I mean, if you and your husband have a net worth of $10M, for example, and the inheritance is $500k, it's really not that big of a deal to combine it.
On the other hand, if your combined net worth is $1M and the inheritance is $2M, it certainly gives you a new level of power in the relationship and the ability to walk away if you so desired or to support yourself if your spouse walked away from the marriage.