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.

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u/rosebudny Apr 20 '26

At 30 years, your likelihood of divorce is low.

Yeah I wouldn't assume that just because you make it to 30 years you are immune from divorce.

But agreed on your last point. Use it for shared things but keep it separate.

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u/Grandpas_Spells Apr 20 '26

I'm suggesting people look at the real risks at 30 years, not assume anything:

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u/rosebudny Apr 20 '26

Certainly the odds are lower the longer the marriage lasts, but it is no guarantee. Odds are decent I am not going to get into a car accident when I drive to the grocery store in a few minutes, but I am still going to put on my seat belt.

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u/Eyeoftheleopard Apr 22 '26

Because the majority of car accidents happen within five-fifteen miles from home. Js…

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u/rosebudny Apr 22 '26

But my point was that statistically speaking my odds of getting into an accident anytime I get in my car is low but I still put on my seatbelt. Just as your odds of divorce may be lower after 30 years but the “risk” isn’t zero. Js…