I am about to inherit $400,000 from my deceased father...what should i do with the stock (Abbott Labs)?

Question

What should i do with the $400,000.00 worth of Abbott stock...sell off so many shares and put 20% down on a $300,000 condo then invest the rest???

Answer 1

With the limited information that you provided, the question cannot be answered. But let me give you some factors:
1) Income level - Unless your income is above $100,000 per year take home, you probably are buying too much house
2) If your father recently passed away, the basis in Abbott stock is fairly close to current price. Therefore to sell the stock would not have much tax consequences. If he died a year ago or more, Abbott has increased in price so there will be capital gains tax.
3) Abott is a good company paying 2.4% qualified dividends meaning you will only pay 15% tax rate, which is probably lower that your ordinary income tax rate. Their dividends have increased every year and their stock price has increased over the last few. Its P/E is not out of wack (that's a technical term) but some of their other financial would appear that future growth potential is not great. A good hold company -- depending on your desires.
4) How much debt do you have? If you are over your head in debt, you may have an opportunity to get yourself out of debt, then apply those payments that you were making to debt to your savings plan
5) Do you have a 401(k), 403(b), etc. at work. Are you contributing to it at its max that the company will match? You should be.
6) Have you fully funded your Roth IRA or Traditional IRA? You should
7) Is $400,000 more than 10% of your total investment holdings? If it is, deversify into some other investments.
8) Is this the only stock you own? If it is, that is way to much in one company. You need diversity across the market both in industrial sectors and in market capitalization.

Please go find a good financial planner, not an annuity salesman, stock broker or mutual fund salesman. Or leave me a message and I will get back with you on how to go about doing this. I am not one, and I will not recommend myself. But unless you do something right, you could make someone a pocket full of money but you are not helped at all (maybe hurt). Find a fee only planner that looks at your total package not some specific product that generates them a high commission.

Answer 2

No, that would be crazy! If you're telling the truth sorry to hear about the loss of your father and LUCKY YOU! :) I can't even imagine what that would be like. Be smart, sell most of the stock but leave enough in there to gamble with and possibly make more money. Obviously, your father was a smart man and knew where to leave his money. Take the money you get from what you sell and buy a place to live NOT put a down payment for it. Once you have your place (furnished and all), and have splurged a little, look for other investment options for the money on hand. Selling off most of the stock, putting a down payment on an expensive place and reinvesting might not be such a good idea. What will happen to you, if you invest on something that loses value and gives you back $0 and you still owe a lot of money on your condo? Good Luck!

Answer 3

1) Sell 70% of the stock.
2) Put 10% down or less on a $150,000 or cheaper condo if you don't have a house.
3) Invest the rest in stocks with the help of a Portfolio Manager like myself.

Top 3 Answerer.

Answer 4

Good time to buy real estate, dont know whether its a good time to sell the stock. Depends on tax situation, cap gains since your fathers date of death etc. Consult a pro and bring your accountant. Only then will you discover the consequences of tax savings compared to your other options. Anyone who is actively seeking business from Yahoo! answers like some folks I would advise you stay away from. Im a broker who is not actively seeking new clients and my first thought is what is the "president of a wealth management firm" doing online looking for business. I just give my opinions to keep shitty brokers from taking your money. Avoid A shares, annuities and other BS. Ask for managed money...you will at least get a phone call when the market drops because your advisor has some skin in the game.

Regards.

Answer 5

This is the right amount of money to start talking with professional money managers. Interview three, ask to speak to their references, and find someone you like. If you hold all the money in one stock, that's risky, becuase you're not diversified and if Abbot takes a dive, you'll lose a lot of money. Investing some in real estate is good IF you can make the payments on the condo. But, really, I'd speak with a professional, someone who charges a flat fee or even a percentage, but NOT someone who makes commissions from buying and selling.

Answer 6

Dear Wil,

I offer your my condolences on the loss of your father.

The price of Abbott stock was such on Monday this week that I sold it for all of my clients. We purchased Abbott Dec 1, 2005 at $37.70 per share. I sold Monday at $54.50 per share.

Abbott is a very good company, but it is one where the current price either exceeds or is very close to what it is worth. At times like this you should consider selling. It closed today above $53.00 and my estimate of what it is worth is $51.

Secondly, in all likelihood there is no tax on this sale because of what is called a step up in basis upon the death of the owner.

You can then reinvest according to your objectives, needs and financial conditions.

If I can help, e-mail me.
Dana B. CFP, ChFC, MSFS
President of Wealth Management Firm.

P.S. I withhold specific information because if desirable we can take this off line where we can provide whatever is needed to you.

Answer 7

There are many investment ideas. You should evaluate your investment options carefully before taking action. What you should do now is find out the potential tax issues you may face if you sell, hold or whatever, and see if there's any way you can minimize your taxes. Consult with a CPA on tax matters.

Answer 8

It sounds like you have already decided. If you invest the rest make sure you split it between at least four stock groups and six to eight stocks.

Answer 9

keep the stock dont sell it until you know what you really want to do or sell some of the stock and invest it into some other stocks to make more money or look into a cash flow project man or do what you want with it

Answer 10

Congratilations, but informing the world on the internet will only
bring U gobs of junk mail, Nigerian scammers and other ruthless
low-lifes with amazing offers to good to be true.