Build Your Plan for an Inheritance

Your family’s wealth doesn’t define your path

What to know about receiving an inheritance

As a Sunnybranch client, I’ll guide you through a unique three-step process to plan for or navigate an inheritance

Step 1: Understand Your Current Financial Picture

Whether you inherited recently, years ago, or expect to inherit years in the future, the first part of our work together will focus on understanding your situation and tackling your most immediate questions. 

Your plan is tailored to meet your needs now and in the future.

No question is too small. I’ll figure it out and take the stress off your plate, giving you time back in your day and leaving you free to focus on living your life.

Wherever you are now, my goal is for you to rest easy knowing that you’re on the right path to a secure financial future.

Topics We May Cover During Our Initial Discovery:

  • Understanding the status and timeline of your inheritance 

  • Education on inheritance structures including irrevocable trusts and beneficiary designations, with a focus on opportunities and limitations 

  • Setting financial goals and identifying pain points 

  • Exploring emotions linked to current or future inheritance 

  • Unpacking the money stories and values linked to family wealth

Step 2: Imagine Your Life Now and in the Future

Inherited wealth can change your life. 

Together we’ll explore how to make the most of your inheritance. 

For future inheritors, we’ll focus on getting your financial life in order now while educating you on what to know about receiving an inheritance.

Our Work May Include:

  • Customized investment portfolios built around your values 

  • Goal setting for sabbaticals and/or retirement 

  • Cash flow and savings planning 

  • Identifying tax planning opportunities 

  • Discussing family wealth with children and heirs

  • Education on estate planning opportunities 

  • Managing risk and insurance needs

Step 3: Build Your Dream

Together, we’ll build a long-term financial plan for your inheritance.

After going through the steps of inheritance, we will start implementing a plan to grow your wealth and positive impact over the coming decades. 

Change is a constant, and I’ll be there at every step to help you adapt and pivot to whatever curveballs life throws your way. 

I’ll Guide You Through:

  • Understanding how financial markets work and what you own in your portfolio

  • Initiating discussions with your parents, grandparents, and siblings about their estate plans

  • A plan to involve your children or other heirs in family philanthropy

  • Building a individualized plan for meaningful charitable giving

  • Navigating additional inheritances 

  • Planning and communicating your own end-of-life needs 

  • What you need to know about leaving an inheritance to your heirs

  • How to think about and plan for your legacy as a child-free person

The Sunnybranch Method

Fees at Sunnybranch

As a fiduciary, fee-only financial planner I always put your priorities front and center. That’s why I offer a variety of fee structures to meet you where you are in life. I’ll be there every step of the way through your inheritance journey, answering questions to help you make informed decisions and navigate the next steps. 

  • I offer ongoing, flat-fee arrangements for financial planning services.

    This includes all of the “standard” financial planning questions you may have (planning for retirement, navigating job benefits and negotiating compensation packages, planning for college, tax planning, investment guidance) and adds in a layer that is specific to inheritors, looking at questions including:

    • How do I talk to my parents about their estate plan?

    • Talking to siblings about what will happen when parents die?

    • What do I do when my parents/grandparents die?

    • How do I plan for two potential futures (because an inheritance is not a guarantee)?

    • How do I keep my kids from getting spoiled/entitled?

  • I offer flat-fee arrangements to guide you through the estate settlement process.

    This is a high-touch process offered to a limited number of clients each year. It includes coordinating with other professionals you work with to make sure you know exactly what is happening with your inheritance and the timelines involved. My goal is to take all of the financial questions off of your plate, so you can focus on grief, other non-financial logistics, and living your life. Questions covered might include:

    • What is the timeline for an estate settlement?

    • What is the structure and interplay of wills, trusts, and other entities?

    • What are the tax impacts of an inheritance?

    • How do I coordinate estate settlement and distributions with an estate attorney, CPA, and other beneficiaries?

    • What should my first steps be after an inheritance is actually received?

  • I offer AUM billing on a percentage of inherited assets.

    For one fee, I will help you through any technical details of your inheritance in addition to the standard investment management and financial planning, your questions may include:

    • How do I make an impact with my wealth?

    • How can I make sure I don't run out of money?

    • How can I set my kids up for success without making them entitled?

    • What freedom does this wealth give me/my family?

Katherine Fox, financial advisor for inheritors, on phone call with client asking what to do about receiving an inheritance.

Getting Started

Let’s talk. We’ll begin with an initial call to kick off the conversation, answer your questions and see if we’re a fit for a long-term partnership.

Get to know each other. Next, we’ll schedule a longer call to explore what working together would really look like. From there, we’ll craft a personalized engagement to meet your needs. 

Connect in-person. I work virtually, but I want to meet you in person. Wherever in the US you’re located, I’ll find a time for us to get together within your first year of becoming a Sunnybranch client.