Case Study: Honoring a Wish with Inherited Stock


Donating inherited stock to honor an animal rescue bequest, and keeping next steps organized across states.

THE FAMILY STORY

Randy worked at one company in upstate New York for his entire career. Never married, he had his beloved dog, Fiona, and his nephew, Martin, who was like a son to him. 

When Randy passed, Martin, an only child in Reading, Massachusetts, took in Fiona and became executor of the estate. Randy left a large block company stock, along with a wish to support a national animal rescue nonprofit.

Being an executor is new to Martin. He had questions about the best way to proceed. What if there is a simple way to honor Randy's wish without creating a big tax bill? What if I miss something important, and who makes the checklist and coordinates with the attorney? What if I don’t know how to handle my new, more complicated taxes?

A friend mentioned Sachetta, so Martin reached out to learn how professional support could help.
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MARTIN'S PLAN

A calm plan that honored his uncle's wish, simplified the company stock, and set up Martin's family for the years ahead.

  1. Charitable gift with stock: We explained how donating the appreciated shares directly would honor his uncle's wish in a tax-efficient way that benefits both his family and the animal rescue nonprofit.

  2. Reducing single-company risk: Owning a large amount of one stock is riskier than being diversified, so we set a clear, tax-aware plan to sell the employer shares over time and reinvest broadly.

  3. Tax planning for a larger financial picture: We projected how the inheritance changes this year’s and next year’s taxes, set the right withholdings and estimated payments, and chose the best year for the stock donation and other moves.

  4. Estate plan and trust for Martin's family: Wills, health care proxies, and a revocable trust were created or updated, key assets were retitled where appropriate, and beneficiaries were reviewed so everything pointed to the right place.

  5. Education fund for their children: Martin and his wife already had 529 plans for both kids, so part of the inheritance was set aside for education, and a simple annual contribution schedule was put in place in a way that would make his uncle proud.

ACTIONS IN THE FIRST 90 DAYS

The first 90 days focused on the few timely issues.

  • Getting organized together: We set up one shared checklist, a simple contact list, and a central place for documents so everyone knew what came next.
  • What this money means for the family: We talked about goals for the inheritance, set a few near-term priorities, and noted which decisions can wait until things feel steadier.

  • Charitable stock gift setup: We confirmed the charity could accept shares, gathered the details they needed, and outlined the transfer steps, with the actual donation timed thoughtfully.

  • Inherited IRA early steps: We confirmed beneficiary paperwork, noted any year-of-death requirement, and started a simple timeline for the 10-year window to review in the first tax projection.

RESULTS

Randy's wish was honored by donating shares directly to the animal rescue nonprofit. The oversized company position moved toward a balanced portfolio on a clear plan. Cross-state logistics and paperwork were coordinated so tasks felt manageable. Taxes were projected and returns prepared, with choices timed to fit the plan. Each month brought calm progress and a short list of what came next.

WHAT'S YOUR STORY?

 

If you are carrying a legacy and a list of decisions, you do not have to do it alone. We help you turn wishes into a clear plan, keep the paperwork moving, and make choices that feel right for your family.

  • Organize accounts and roles so everyone knows what comes next

  • Honor charitable wishes in a tax-smart way, including donating appreciated stock

  • Reduce single-company risk and realign the rest of the portfolio thoughtfully

  • Coordinate across states with your attorney so signatures and filings are simple

  • Map inherited retirement account timing and keep taxes in sync with the plan

Financial Planning for an Inheritance Sachetta

 

 

 

You bring your what-ifs.

We'll bring a plan. 

We’ll walk with you, at your pace—clear priorities now, steady guidance for what’s next.

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Inheritance Financial Planning

Read more about how Sachetta helps you make sense of an inheritance—organizing accounts, coordinating taxes, and setting calm next steps at a pace that fits your life.

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Behind every financial plan is a real life—full of deadlines, family goals, and important decisions. This story reflects the kinds of challenges our clients bring to us, and how we build calm, clear strategies in response. While this story is fictional, the strategies are true to life.

Disclaimer: Action plans and results are shown for illustrative purposes only, are not indicative of any specific Sachetta client, and will vary based on each client’s individual circumstances and objectives.

Last updated October 10, 2025.