An inheritance is a gift. It’s also a responsibility.
Inheriting assets can change what’s possible for you and your family. It can also arrive with a level of complexity most people aren’t prepared for. We’ve guided households through this transition before.
A money-in-motion event.
Receiving an inheritance is the moment assets built by someone close to you become your responsibility to steward.
We call moments like these “money in motion” and an inheritance is one of the most emotionally weighted versions. It often arrives alongside loss, family conversations, and tax-sensitive deadlines. The decisions that often matter most include how the assets are titled, which accounts can be moved without triggering tax, what the step-up in basis means for what you’ve inherited, and how this fits into your own estate plan.
You don’t need a salesperson at this moment. You need a steady guide. Trusting someone with assets that carry both financial weight and family meaning is a responsibility we don’t take lightly.
The cost of getting it wrong is bigger than most people realize.
Handling an inheritance is not a single decision. It’s a series of them, and a few of them carry outsized weight. Here are a few instances where the math matters most:
Step-up in basis
Many inherited assets receive a step-up in basis at the date of death, which can dramatically reduce the capital gains tax owed when those assets are eventually sold. Understanding which assets qualify, what the new basis is, and how to document it can meaningfully change the after-tax outcome.
Inherited retirement accounts
The rules for inherited IRAs and 401(k)s changed materially with the SECURE Act. For most non-spouse heirs, distributions now follow a tighter timeline than they used to, which has real implications for your tax picture across the next decade. The right distribution strategy depends on your tax bracket, your other income, and your long-term plan for the assets.
Estate planning
An inheritance changes your own estate plan, often in ways that aren’t obvious. Beneficiary designations, account titling, trust structures, and charitable intentions are all worth revisiting after a significant inheritance lands.
Concentration risk
An inheritance often arrives as concentrated assets: a single stock position, a piece of real estate, an interest in a family business. Diversifying those assets thoughtfully, with the tax implications front of mind, is its own discipline.
Family alignment
Inheritances are often shared between siblings, spouses, or across generations. Having a thoughtful plan in place can make those conversations more productive and less stressful.
A plan, then a partner.
You won’t find a one-size-fits-all framework here. You’ll find a process that starts where you are.
Step 1
Listen.
Before any recommendation, we listen. What you’ve inherited or expect to. What you want help with. What’s already working. What’s keeping you up. The plan we build only works if it’s built around what matters to you.
Step 2
Clarify.
An inheritance has a lot of moving parts, and the order matters. Understanding how the tax picture, the estate picture, and the long-term plan fit together is what separates a well-stewarded inheritance from a rushed one.
Step 3
Plan.
Planning isn’t a one-time event. Markets shift. Tax rules change. Family situations evolve. Your investments and financial plan must, too. We review, adjust, and guide you through every market and every milestone.
We’ve helped many households navigate this transition.
Many of the clients we serve today came to us through an inheritance. Are you looking to:
Create a sustainable investment plan for the assets you’ve inherited?
Reduce the tax impact of the inheritance and explore charitable giving strategies?
Coordinate the inheritance with your own estate plan?
Steward these assets to grow for your family’s long-term benefit?
The team behind your plan.
You’ll work with named advisors, not a call center. Get to know the team on our Team page.
This ranking was issued by CNBC in October 2025 and covers the period October 2025 to October 2026. Pittenger & Anderson did not pay to obtain this rating; however, we have licensed the CNBC FA 100 logo for use in our own advertising materials.
More about P&A.
#5 on the 2025 CNBC FA 100. The only Nebraska firm to make the list all seven years it’s been published.
Fee-only, full-time fiduciary, since 1995. No commissions. No product sales. No kickbacks. Our advice is aligned with your goals, not a sales quota.
Approximately $3 billion in assets under management. 900+ client households in over 30 states.
Questions heirs and beneficiaries often ask.
What’s the typical Pittenger & Anderson client profile?
Most P&A clients have at least $1 million in investable assets when we begin working together. If you’re close to that mark, or about to receive an inheritance that brings you to it, we’re happy to have a conversation about whether we’re a fit for each other.
What’s a step-up in basis and why does it matter for what I’ve inherited?
For many inherited assets, the cost basis is “stepped up” to the asset’s fair market value as of the date of death. That can substantially reduce the capital gains tax owed if and when you sell. The mechanics differ by asset type and account structure, and good recordkeeping early on can save real money later. We want to make sure the basis is documented correctly from the start.
What happens with an inherited IRA or 401(k)?
Inherited retirement accounts are treated differently than inherited brokerage assets. The SECURE Act changed the distribution rules for most non-spouse heirs, and the right strategy depends on your tax bracket, your other income, and your long-term plan for the assets. We help you understand the options, coordinate with your CPA, and build a distribution plan that fits your bigger picture.
How does an inheritance affect my own estate plan?
A significant inheritance often changes what’s possible for your family in your lifetime and beyond. It can be worth revisiting your beneficiary designations, your account titling, your trust structures, and your charitable intentions. We help you think through how these pieces fit together as part of your broader financial plan.
What if the inheritance includes a concentrated position or real estate?
Inherited assets often arrive concentrated: a single stock, a piece of real estate, an interest in a family business. Diversifying out of a concentrated position requires a thoughtful approach, because the tax implications can be meaningful. We help you understand your options and build a plan that protects what you’ve inherited while moving toward an allocation that supports your goals.
We just received an inheritance and feel rushed to make decisions. Should we?
Almost never. A few decisions are time-sensitive, like certain account titling and beneficiary moves, but most can wait long enough to be made thoughtfully. A conversation early in the process can help you understand what truly needs attention now and what is better made later on.
What are your credentials?
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals are required to complete rigorous education, have relevant experience, and are committed to acting in their clients’ best interests. The following advisors at our firm are CFP® professionals: Blake Anderson, Dan Anderson, Dan Frost, Diane Klein, Audrey Mines, A.J. Natter, Trey Pittenger, and Jon Sevenker.
Shane Riley and Dan Frost are both Chartered Financial Analyst® charterholders, a designation widely recognized as one of the most respected in the investment management industry.
Elizabeth Sydzyik is a CRPC™ designee. Kristin Kliewer holds the IACCP® designation. Audrey Mines is a licensed Insurance Consultant who can help you analyze any insurance policies and annuities you own, even though we do not sell insurance products.
Start with a conversation.
Fifteen minutes. No presentation. No pressure. Just a call to see whether P&A is the right fit for the decision you’re facing.
