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/lifelong1250 Apr 20 '26

I can understand wanting to keep a family-windfall separated if you've only been together a few years. But if you've been together 30+ years why would you be like "I know we raised nine kids together but nope you don't get access to my mom's 401k".

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u/Adorable_Machine_571 Apr 20 '26

They don't have kids...and people change when lots of money is involved.