A client recently asked me about an inherited IRA that was sitting almost entirely in a money market fund. The returns were modest, and the client wondered whether it made sense to stay the course or shift toward something with more growth potential. It is a question that comes up often among Americans living in Israel who manage U.S…. Read more
A client stopped as he reviewed his account statement. We had just discussed trades, shifting from an individual stock to index funds, taking a tax loss, and rebalancing. Then he commented, almost casually, “It’s all for the kids anyway.” It was a new realization for him.
For six years, we had focused on long-term growth,… Read more
Inheriting money should feel like a blessing not a burden. But for Americans living in Israel, a U.S.-based inheritance can bring more stress than security. Instead of clarity, many people face a whirlwind of tax traps, frozen accounts, and decisions they don’t feel ready to make.
A potential client recently called me in that exact position…. Read more
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…. Read more
Many Americans who make aliya keep their investment and retirement accounts in the U.S., which makes good sense for access, diversification, and continuity. The accounts themselves are not usually the problem. If a brokerage firm does not want to keep clients overseas, it is usually easy to switch to a cross-border investment specialist…. Read more
A couple reached out recently after receiving a six-figure inheritance from a relative in the United States. They were focused on managing sudden wealth responsibly, not treating it like a windfall.
They didn’t see the inheritance as extra money; rather, they viewed it as a responsibility. There was no shopping spree,… Read more
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
