A survey of individuals with at least $500,000 in investable assets by Cisco IBSG found that 39% expect a major gift or inheritance in the next 10 years. Of those under 50, 67% expect something, as do 31% of boomers and 21% of seniors.

Some are likely to be disappointed.

"I think many boomers are likely to inherit not nearly as much as they anticipated," says Terry A. Donahe, a financial advisor in Lake Oswego, Ore. "We collectively have exaggerated how much boomers will see."

People are living longer and, in their later years, are facing rapidly rising costs for things like health care. Because of that and other factors, Roger Wohlner of Arlington Heights, Ill., is like other advisors who disregard potential inheritances in financial planning for clients.

He has one wealthy family for which he advises multiple generations, and even though it is likely that the heirs will receive something, Wohlner excludes it from the planning equation. "There are a lot of things that can happen," he says.

Copyright (c) 2011, Dow Jones. For more information about Dow Jones' services for advisors, please click here     

First « 1 2 » Next