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Siblings Expect to Split a $200,000 Inheritance, But Their Mother’s Final Wish Could Turn Their Fortune Into an Impossible Reality

Caught between honoring their late mother’s wish and the need for financial stability, two teenage siblings grapple with the decision to invest a sizeable inheritance.

As they inch closer to making a life-altering decision to invest their inheritance, a rift between their late mother’s wish and their future investment plan emerges, leaving their decision hanging in the balance.

Dear Top Dollar,

I am a 19-year-old college student and, along with my 18-year-old sister, recently lost our mother to cancer. She was our sole guardian, and following the sale of our childhood home, we each inherited roughly $100,000.

Our mother’s wish, although not formally documented, was for us not to touch the funds until we were both over 21 years old and not to spend it solely on our education. We are both diligent students with scholarships, part-time jobs, and additional financial support, so paying for school isn’t our primary worry.

After receiving the funds, we transferred the total amount ($200,000) into a trust, which isn’t under either of our names. Although this arrangement is recent (about a week old), it’s unsettling to see the money idle.

Understanding and Respecting Our Mother’s Wishes

I understand the potential of these funds if invested wisely – it could provide considerable financial relief for us in the future. That’s why we respected our mother’s wish to postpone touching it until we were a bit older. Yet, we still have questions about the best way to handle this inheritance.

When I turned 18, I opened a personal Vanguard ETF account as I had heard about the importance of starting investing early. But when it comes to the $200,000 in the trust, I’m unsure about the best course of action.

Investment Concerns and Previous Experience

I once consulted a financial advisor who suggested investment strategies vary depending on whether the goals are short-term or long-term. The advice made sense, but given our mother’s untimely passing, I’m reluctant to lock the funds away until retirement without having a clear idea of when we might need it.

TOP Dollar Investor

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