Heir Necessities

Katherine Fox, CFP®, CAP®

Heir Necessities with Katherine Fox is your insider's guide to the complex world of inheritance. Join Katherine – a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, wealth manager, and inheritor who's been in your shoes – for bi-weekly, 15-minute episodes that demystify the inheritance process. Katherine breaks down everything from awkward family money talks to ethical investing. She's your personal "old white man translator," turning stuffy financial jargon into advice you'll actually use. Whether you're dealing with a trust fund, a surprise windfall, or are anticipating an inheritance, Heir Necessities has straight talk and smart strategies to help you navigate your newfound wealth. Tune in for insights and honest conversations to help you write your own financial story – because there's more to inheriting wealth than just the money.

  1. 1H AGO

    How to Ask Your Parents for Money...AND Get Them to Say Yes

    2/12 UPDATE: Audio has been fixed! Thanks for everyone who let me know.  FULL EPISODE AND SHOW NOTES: www.sunnybranchwealth.com/blog/how-to-ask-parents-for-money We're renovating our basement and, yes, my parents are shelling out the full cost: $350,000.  Before you judge, spend 10 minutes learning about the six-month conversation that got us here. From exploring an $800k+ ADU to navigating retirement community options and locations - this was the best and cheapest option for my parents.  Spoiler: this episode isn't really about our basement reno.  It's about how my family practices radical money honesty.  It's about why multigenerational estate and wealth transfer planning matters.  And it's about how to ask your parents for money in a way that feels good for you AND for them.  I've been getting money out of my (equally bemused and reluctant) parents since the early aughts.  This is the episode you need to get on my level and learn how to ask your parents for money...in a way that actually works.  Sunnybranch Wealth LLC (“Sunnybranch Wealth”) is a registered investment advisor offering advisory services in the State of Oregon, the State of California, the State of Washington, and in other jurisdictions where exempt. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The information on this site is not intended as tax, accounting or legal advice, as an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or as an endorsement of any company, security, fund, or other securities or non-securities offering. This information should not be relied upon as the sole factor in an investment making decision. Past performance is no indication of future results. Investment in securities involves significant risk and has the potential for partial or complete loss of funds invested. It should not be assumed that any recommendations made will be profitable or equal any performance noted on this site.

    11 min
  2. FEB 5

    Tax Planning Just Became Non-Negotiable for Inheritors: What Changed in 2026

    FULL EPISODE & SHOW NOTES: www.sunnybranchwealth.com/blog/2026-obba-tax-changes Tax planning just went from "nice to have" to absolutely non-negotiable for inheritors. Here's why:  Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act changed the game in 2026.  The $15M estate tax exemption is now "permanent."  The SALT cap jumped up to $40k, which is HUGE if you live in a high-tax state.  There are new floors on charitable deductions.  And once your income crosses $500K, phase-outs start kicking in that could cost you serious money if you're not planning ahead.  In this episode, I walk you through the biggest changes you need to understand and explain why you need to be thinking about taxes year-round, not just in April.  Sunnybranch Wealth LLC (“Sunnybranch Wealth”) is a registered investment advisor offering advisory services in the State of Oregon, the State of California, the State of Washington, and in other jurisdictions where exempt. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The information on this site is not intended as tax, accounting or legal advice, as an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or as an endorsement of any company, security, fund, or other securities or non-securities offering. This information should not be relied upon as the sole factor in an investment making decision. Past performance is no indication of future results. Investment in securities involves significant risk and has the potential for partial or complete loss of funds invested. It should not be assumed that any recommendations made will be profitable or equal any performance noted on this site.

    10 min
  3. JAN 29

    ICE Is In Your Portfolio. The Harsh Truth No One Tells You About Getting Rich Under Capitalism

    FULL EPISODE + SHOW NOTES: www.sunnybranchwealth.com/blog/2025-market-recap What does sustainable investing look like when you're still making money under capitalism?  In this episode, I sit down with Daniel McNabb, head of the Investment Team at Chicory Wealth, to dive into the uncomfortable reality of investing for good in public markets.  We’re pulling back the curtain on how ESG and Impact Investing can help make our world better, even if they’re not a perfect solution.  And while we don't directly address ICE in the episode, it's the topic hanging over both of our heads.  Do you want to own companies that directly support the atrocities of the current administration's immigration crackdown? Plus, we cover how the Chicory portfolios at Sunnybranch work, the inevitable trade-offs of the stock market, and why voting proxies really matters. We also get a little spicy with our 2026 stock market predictions. Spoiler alert: we have different takes.  If you want to know a little about the stock market and a lot about how to do better with your money, this is the episode for you. Sunnybranch Wealth LLC (“Sunnybranch Wealth”) is a registered investment advisor offering advisory services in the State of Oregon, the State of California, the State of Washington, and in other jurisdictions where exempt. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The information on this site is not intended as tax, accounting or legal advice, as an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or as an endorsement of any company, security, fund, or other securities or non-securities offering. This information should not be relied upon as the sole factor in an investment making decision. Past performance is no indication of future results. Investment in securities involves significant risk and has the potential for partial or complete loss of funds invested. It should not be assumed that any recommendations made will be profitable or equal any performance noted on this site.

    22 min
  4. JAN 22

    A Billionaire's Guide to Raising Money-Smart Kids

    FULL EPISODE & SHOW NOTES: www.sunnybranchwealth.com/blog/trust-fund-reveals What happens when ultra-wealthy parents hide their net worth from their kids for 20+ years, then spring a surprise "trust reveal party" on them?  Spoiler alert: it gets messy.  In this episode, I contrast two wildly different ways to talk to kids about money.  Join me to explore why one path creates resentment and confusion, while the other builds trust and financial competence.  If you're nervous about raising entitled rich kids, this episode is going to challenge everything you think you know about money and parenting.  Sunnybranch Wealth LLC (“Sunnybranch Wealth”) is a registered investment advisor offering advisory services in the State of Oregon, the State of California, the State of Washington, and in other jurisdictions where exempt. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The information on this site is not intended as tax, accounting or legal advice, as an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or as an endorsement of any company, security, fund, or other securities or non-securities offering. This information should not be relied upon as the sole factor in an investment making decision. Past performance is no indication of future results. Investment in securities involves significant risk and has the potential for partial or complete loss of funds invested. It should not be assumed that any recommendations made will be profitable or equal any performance noted on this site.

    14 min
  5. JAN 15

    My Family Spent $400,000 Last Year: Here's the Complete Budget Breakdown

    FULL EPISODE AND TRANSCRIPT:  My family spent $400,000 in 2025, and this episode breaks it all down with (maybe too much?) transparency.  We spent $190,000 on our house and yard, put $60,000 on 0% interest credit cards when our renovation went over budget, and made some mistakes we're REALLY going to try not to repeat.  Plus, I share what I'm happy with, where we could do better (spoiler: charitable giving), and why our spending probably won't go down much in 2026 even without a major renovation.  If you want real talk about managing wealth as a millennial inheritor, this budget recap is for you.  SHOW NOTES: Skip renovation content - go to 6:36 Monarch Money - www.monarch.com Sunnybranch Wealth LLC (“Sunnybranch Wealth”) is a registered investment advisor offering advisory services in the State of Oregon, the State of California, the State of Washington, and in other jurisdictions where exempt. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The information on this site is not intended as tax, accounting or legal advice, as an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or as an endorsement of any company, security, fund, or other securities or non-securities offering. This information should not be relied upon as the sole factor in an investment making decision. Past performance is no indication of future results. Investment in securities involves significant risk and has the potential for partial or complete loss of funds invested. It should not be assumed that any recommendations made will be profitable or equal any performance noted on this site.

    15 min
  6. 10/29/2025

    10 Questions Every Inheritor Should Ask Before Hiring a Financial Advisor

    FULL EPISODE & SHOW NOTES @ www.sunnybranchwealth.com/blog/10-questions-for-financial-advisors Most financial advisors don't understand inheritors.  So, how can you find one who does?  In this episode, I give you the 10 questions you should be asking every financial advisor you interview, plus my own answers!   These questions cover the big stuff: is the advisor a fiduciary, how are they paid, what's their actual experience with people like you? They will also let you explore what working with an advisor would look like day-to-day.  If you're an inheritor and tired of feeling lost, listen for advice on choosing an advisor to help you navigate a current or future inheritance.  LINKS 10 Questions to Ask A Financial Advisor (blog post): https://www.sunnybranchwealth.com/blog/questions-for-financial-advisors Impact Investing @ Sunnybranch:  Quiz! Start here https://www.sunnybranchwealth.com/blog/impact-esg-investing  Investing at Sunnybranch  https://www.sunnybranchwealth.com/blog/impact-investing-explained Sunnybranch Wealth LLC (“Sunnybranch Wealth”) is a registered investment advisor offering advisory services in the State of Oregon, the State of California, the State of Washington, and in other jurisdictions where exempt. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The information on this site is not intended as tax, accounting or legal advice, as an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or as an endorsement of any company, security, fund, or other securities or non-securities offering. This information should not be relied upon as the sole factor in an investment making decision. Past performance is no indication of future results. Investment in securities involves significant risk and has the potential for partial or complete loss of funds invested. It should not be assumed that any recommendations made will be profitable or equal any performance noted on this site.

    14 min
  7. 10/16/2025

    Beyond Market Returns: Managing Wealth During Political Turmoil

    FULL EPISODE AND SHOW NOTES @ www.sunnybranchwealth.com/blog/money-and-politics My market commentary this quarter is going to hit a little different. Instead of the usual recap of what the market did over the past three months, and what might be coming in the future, I'm covering the real questions I hear from my clients.  Should I be opening a foreign bank account? Do I need to stop investing in the US?  How can I prepare if the US economy and/or political system falls apart?  I've got the answers you need about emergency planning, recession-proofing your portfolio, and the things you should absolutely NOT be doing. There's a lot of bad, fear-based advice out there.  Don't let it trap you in a doom spiral that leads to financial mistakes.  Hang with me instead, for the answers you need and the reassurance you can't find anywhere else.  Sunnybranch Wealth LLC (“Sunnybranch Wealth”) is a registered investment advisor offering advisory services in the State of Oregon, the State of California, the State of Washington, and in other jurisdictions where exempt. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The information on this site is not intended as tax, accounting or legal advice, as an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or as an endorsement of any company, security, fund, or other securities or non-securities offering. This information should not be relied upon as the sole factor in an investment making decision. Past performance is no indication of future results. Investment in securities involves significant risk and has the potential for partial or complete loss of funds invested. It should not be assumed that any recommendations made will be profitable or equal any performance noted on this site.

    11 min
  8. 10/09/2025

    The Top 3 Investing Mistakes New Inheritors Make (And How to Avoid Them)

    FULL EPISODE AND SHOW NOTES AT:  www.sunnybranchwealth.com/blog/investing-mistakes Getting a multi-million dollar inheritance comes with a lot of pressure.  If you're feeling overwhelmed by all the financial decisions in front of you and worried you're going to make a mistake, this is the episode for you.  Listen for a breakdown of the three most common investing mistakes I see new inheritors make from moving too fast (or not fast enough!) to making decisions with incomplete information or based on that TikTok you saw about crypto.  I'll walk you through exactly what you *should* be doing after inheriting, to give you the confidence to start building a long-term investment strategy that aligns with your hopes, dreams, and values. Sunnybranch Wealth LLC (“Sunnybranch Wealth”) is a registered investment advisor offering advisory services in the State of Oregon, the State of California, the State of Washington, and in other jurisdictions where exempt. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The information on this site is not intended as tax, accounting or legal advice, as an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or as an endorsement of any company, security, fund, or other securities or non-securities offering. This information should not be relied upon as the sole factor in an investment making decision. Past performance is no indication of future results. Investment in securities involves significant risk and has the potential for partial or complete loss of funds invested. It should not be assumed that any recommendations made will be profitable or equal any performance noted on this site.

    12 min

Ratings & Reviews

3.9
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Heir Necessities with Katherine Fox is your insider's guide to the complex world of inheritance. Join Katherine – a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, wealth manager, and inheritor who's been in your shoes – for bi-weekly, 15-minute episodes that demystify the inheritance process. Katherine breaks down everything from awkward family money talks to ethical investing. She's your personal "old white man translator," turning stuffy financial jargon into advice you'll actually use. Whether you're dealing with a trust fund, a surprise windfall, or are anticipating an inheritance, Heir Necessities has straight talk and smart strategies to help you navigate your newfound wealth. Tune in for insights and honest conversations to help you write your own financial story – because there's more to inheriting wealth than just the money.

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