A client in Israel called me, frustrated. His mother had passed away in the U.S., leaving him a substantial inheritance. But despite her detailed will, he couldn’t access the funds. The lawyer who drew up the will hadn’t anticipated cross-border issues, and the American documents didn’t align with Israeli requirements. Moreover,… Read more
Parents often avoid talking finances with their adult children, especially when significant assets are involved. Yet holding back on these conversations can create confusion and even lead to conflict down the road. Recently, a client in her 70s shared her concern that her children knew little about her finances, leaving her worried about how they’d manage her legacy when she’s no longer there to guide them. … Read more
Imagine receiving a notification that you are named as a beneficiary in a will or trust from a relative abroad. Initially, it seems like a windfall, but what comes next? The intricacies of managing cross-border trusts can turn an expected gain into a complex financial headache. This issue is especially pronounced for heirs who are dual citizens and live outside of America. … Read more
If you inherited an IRA account, take steps to avoid costly mistakes.
An Individual Retirement Account (IRA) allows money to grow tax-deferred in America, until the funds are withdrawn. When the account owner passes away and the IRA is inherited by a non-spouse beneficiary, the heir must take mandatory distributions, which are taxable…. Read more
Inheriting a stock portfolio presents a significant financial opportunity as well as a challenge. Should you keep the stocks you inherit, or sell them and replace them with investments that are more suitable to your financial goals and risk tolerance?
Many people hesitate to sell inherited assets due to emotional ties,… Read more
Receiving an inheritance can be a significant and emotional event. Managing inherited assets, such as trusts, is often complex, particularly when they span international borders. Trust beneficiaries often need guidance in navigating their windfall.
Recently, a client shared her gratitude about inheriting from her uncle’s trust, only to find herself entangled in unexpected legal and tax issues because she lives outside America…. Read more
Did you know that inheriting an IRA comes with its own set of rules and opportunities? Recently, I had a discussion with someone who just received a “Beneficiary IRA” and was facing the common, yet complex, issue that many inheritors face: What’s the best way to handle the required minimum distributions? … Read more
Did you recently inherit a stock and bond portfolio? Feel uncertain about your next steps? Navigating new assets can be daunting both to new and seasoned investors.
Managing an inherited portfolio effectively means aligning it with your financial goals and risk tolerance. Imagine inheriting a large sum in a single stock;… Read more
If you live in Israel and receive an inheritance from someone who passed away in America, should those funds go in your name alone… after all, you were the beneficiary… or should you put them in a joint account with your spouse?
The right answer depends on your unique situation. Over the past 30 years of helping individuals who receive USD inheritances (including inherited IRAs),… Read more
Receiving an inheritance creates conflicting emotions for anyone who’s recently lost a loved one. Grief is powerful, and when the pain of a loss is still fresh, it tends to overwhelm all other senses — including those that can give us a more practical perspective…. Read more
