3 in 4 Women Aren’t Prepared for Inheritance
By Brian Famigletti, Managing Director & Head of Marketing
Women Report Inheritance Challenges
A recent UBS report found that the vast majority of high-net-worth women aren’t prepared for inheritance. The Swiss investment bank surveyed 2,000 female investors with at least $1 million in assets for its 2025 Global Wealth Report. A quarter of them expected to inherit over $5 million.
However, around 8 in 10 women who already inherited money from their parents reported facing challenges. Some said they hadn’t known the extent of their family’s wealth or had any conversations about estate or succession planning. In many cases, there was no plan in place.
Moreover, three-quarters of those who had yet to receive a parental inheritance did not expect it to be smooth sailing. Many have not seen their parents’ will. Others said they did not know where assets were located or whether their parents had made a wealth transfer plan.
The U.S. is expected to see the largest-ever volume of wealth transfers over the next two decades. Estate planning, particularly for high-net-worth individuals, can be crucial in terms of preserving wealth, minimizing taxes, and ensuring a lasting legacy.
How Can Women Prepare for a Financial Windfall?
As women have longer life expectancies, they will often experience two wealth transfer events in their lifetime, according to UBS. The first is when they inherit wealth from their parents, and, for those with male partners, the second comes when they assume sole control over their household.
Receiving a significant windfall, while exciting, can be overwhelming. But there are steps you can take to prepare for your inheritance. The first is to encourage your parents and spouse to make an estate plan and share it with you.
It can be difficult to start the conversation, especially if your family does not normally talk about money. Even so, the more you understand about what assets you might inherit and how your loved ones want them to be handled, the better. A qualified advisor can also advise you on taxes, as some windfalls will be subject to them.
Make a Financial Plan
If you’re unsure about how to structure and manage your estate, a financial advisor can help. That includes advice on drafting a will and preparing for your own retirement. Once you find someone you trust, you can work with them to define your short- and long-term financial goals.
Research shows that female investors tend to be more cautious than their male counterparts. Professional advice is one way to ensure you’re taking on a reasonable amount of investment risk.
A wealth transfer can also be an ideal time to take inventory of your tangible and intangible assets, as well as any debts. If you want to make the process smoother for your heirs, talk to them. Share your will with them and be clear about any money they may inherit, including where your assets are located.
Questions about how to better manage the wealth you’ve inherited? Unsure about how to talk to your parents about their will? Contact Griffin Asset Management to speak with an expert today.
Sources:
UBS: Global Wealth Report 2025
UBS: Women’s Wealth
FA Magazine: How Women Inheritors Can Better Navigate Their Wealth Transfer
Mesirow: Three ways to prepare for a financial windfall
Harvard Business Review: How the Gender Balance of Investment Teams Shapes the Risks They Take
