The smartest thing to do with inherited money is to pause and avoid impulsive spending, then prioritize paying off high-interest debt, building an emergency fund, and investing for the long term. Consulting with a financial or tax advisor to understand tax implications is crucial, while potentially using a portion for personal enjoyment.
If one received a large inheritance it is a good idea to use it for something like a down payment on a residence or perhaps in something that makes you money (invest in a business or buy income property). That would mean refraining on using that money for smaller stuff or general expenses.
What should you not do with inheritance money?
The 3-6-9 rule in finance is a guideline for building an emergency fund, suggesting you save 3 months of essential expenses for stable jobs, 6 months for most people (especially those with families/mortgages), and 9 months for those with irregular income (freelancers, sole earners) or high financial risk. It's a flexible strategy to provide financial security, helping you avoid debt or panic withdrawals during unexpected job loss or emergencies, with the exact target depending on your income stability and dependents.
The "7-3-2 Rule" refers to two main concepts: a financial strategy for wealth building, suggesting it takes 7 years for the first major savings milestone, 3 years for the next, and 2 years for the third, driven by compounding and increasing investments; and a trucking rule (7/3 split) allowing drivers to split their 10-hour mandatory break into 7 hours in the sleeper berth and 3 hours of off-duty rest, offering flexibility.
The "7-year inheritance rule" (primarily a UK concept) means gifts you give away become exempt from Inheritance Tax (IHT) if you live for seven years or more after making the gift; if you die within that time, the gift may be taxed, often with a reduced rate (taper relief) applied if you die between years 3 and 7, but at the full 40% if you die within 3 years, helping people reduce their estate's taxable value by giving assets away earlier.
Invest in property - Whether you've inherited a property or you're looking to buy a property, bricks and mortar have proven over the years to be a good investment - although house prices can fall too. Invest for retirement - Save tax-efficiently for your retirement by opening a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) .
Give more money away
Lifetime gifting is a straightforward way to begin reducing your IHT bill. By gifting money during lifetime, that would have been part of an inheritance anyway, you reduce the size of your estate so that there is smaller amount subject to IHT on your death.
Inheriting $100,000 or more is often considered sizable. This sum of money is significant, and it's essential to manage it wisely to meet your financial goals. A wealth manager or financial advisor can help you navigate how to approach this. Learn how annuities can be effectively combined with trusts in an estate plan.
How does the IRS learn about inherited assets? Inherited assets may appear through estate filings, financial institution reporting, probate documents, property title transfers or tax reporting by executors and trustees.
Here are some things to consider before receiving your inheritance.
In 2025, the first $13,990,000 of an estate is exempt from federal estate taxes, up from $13,610,000 in 2024. Estate taxes are based on the size of the estate. It's a progressive tax, just like the federal income tax system. This means that the larger the estate, the higher the tax rate it is subject to.
One of the biggest reforms in inheritance law 2026 is the abolition of mandatory probate for wills in India. Historically, individuals with wills had to obtain a probate — a court-issued document certifying the validity of the will — to transfer property, especially in the cities of Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.
Want to make your assets virtually untouchable by creditors and lawsuits? Equity stripping may be the answer. This advanced technique involves encumbering your assets with liens or mortgages held by friendly creditors, such as an LLC or trust you control.
A further breakdown of these numbers reveals that: “the wealthiest 1 percent of families have inherited $447 for every $1 the least wealthy group of families has. Those in the middling wealth ranges—$25k–$50k, $50k–$100k, and $100k–$250k—have received inheritances of $14.8k, $22.5k, and $51.4k respectively.”
The wealthy hide assets using complex structures like offshore trusts and shell companies in tax havens, disguising ownership through layers of legal entities, leveraging nonrecourse loans against assets to get cash without selling, and using philanthropic foundations or family partnerships, often to avoid taxes, creditors, or spousal claims, especially in divorces.
Some have interpreted this to mean investing 70% of a portfolio in stocks and 30% in bonds, although work-outs seem to suggest special situations, which differ from bonds. Either way, Buffett has given different investment advice to investors based on their experience.
The 70/20/10 rule for money is a simple budgeting guideline that splits your after-tax income into three categories: 70% for Needs (essentials like rent, groceries, bills), 20% for Savings & Investments (emergency funds, retirement), and 10% for Debt Repayment & Donations (extra debt payments or giving). It balances immediate living costs with long-term financial security, helping you cover necessities while building wealth and paying off liabilities.