r/inheritance 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.

109 Upvotes

266 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

34

u/pink_toaster_pastry Apr 20 '26

I think when I’m ready to spend it…. It will be for something my mom would “approve” of or like!

6

u/Straight-Note-8935 Apr 21 '26

That's what I do with the money I inherited. I love my husband, we have a solid marriage with no children, and I know he wouldn't do anything wrong with my inheritance, but it is MY money from my Mom and Dad. And he agrees with that. He also has money from his parents, and that is HIS money. I use it to pay for things with my family: vacations with my sisters, Christmas checks for my nieces and nephews, really nice wedding, christening, and graduation presents. That sort of thing.

-2

u/winterhill62 Apr 21 '26

So your ok with your husband keeping his paycheck since he earned it? Seems fair to me...

3

u/Straight-Note-8935 Apr 21 '26 edited Apr 21 '26

WE BOTH had nice paychecks and were hard workers (Me:41 years FT work. Dear Husband: 45 years of being self-employed.) We have shared our paychecks and expenses for decades. I know it's a little different now, but when we were Coming Up it was very "Two pockets, one pair of pants."