Receiving an inheritance should feel like a relief, not a race. But for many families, the pressure to act fast turns a financial gift into a source of anxiety. Between tax forms, currency conversions, and well-meaning relatives offering advice, new inheritors often feel like they need to “do something” right away. One prospective client told me, “It felt like a countdown started the moment the money arrived.”
That mindset leads to rushed decisions, poor planning, and missed opportunities.
Don’t Chase Performance Before You Define Purpose
After inheriting over $3 million from a U.S. relative, one client considered putting most of it into aggressive investments. But when we looked closer, his goals were different: maintain financial stability, generate modest income, and reduce risk.
We shifted the focus. Instead of chasing returns, we discussed low-risk, U.S.-based investments, including insured accounts, while still reserving a portion for long-term growth. When your investment choices reflect your real goals, not your emotions, you reduce the risk of future regret.
Family Generosity Without a Plan Can Backfire
Another temptation? Using inheritance money to help a child with a home purchase. It sounds noble, but giving one child a significant gift can create tension among siblings or even disrupt your own retirement plans.
We talked through how to support family with fairness and foresight. Setting clear limits helps prevent misunderstandings later, and ensures you’re not giving away what you may need down the road.
Clarity Comes When You Slow Down
The smartest move we made was not making one right away. We parked the money in safe, accessible accounts. That breathing room gave the client time to think, ask questions, and build a strategy with confidence.
You don’t need to have all the answers the day the money arrives. You just need enough space to ask the right questions.
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Douglas Goldstein, CFP® is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.Profile-Financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation on how to set up your American assets to meet your financial goals. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates. Neither PRG nor its affiliates provide tax or legal advice.
Published January 21, 2026.