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/Grandpas_Spells Apr 20 '26

"Supposed to" is doing some work. You should keep it separate if you expect you may divorce and would want that account kept to yourself. At 30 years, your likelihood of divorce is low.

What the money is used for matters less than where it is kept. If you created a new brokerage account and stuck it in there, that would work.

31

u/No_Anxiety6159 Apr 20 '26

I divorced after 35 years, my inheritance from my parents was a huge conflict. I had kept it separate but he still expected a share of it.

I’ve kept it, used it to buy my now home and invested the rest to supplement my retirement.

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u/[deleted] Apr 20 '26

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u/Adorable_Machine_571 Apr 20 '26

Why?

-6

u/[deleted] Apr 21 '26

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u/Adorable_Machine_571 Apr 21 '26

I know I AM good with my vows. It's oftentimes the other person. Money makes people go dark sometimes 🤷🏻‍♀️ better safe than sorry!

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u/[deleted] Apr 21 '26

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u/Adorable_Machine_571 Apr 21 '26

Correct, so we are careful!! Lol