Many people don’t know or even think about inheritance laws until they are affected by them. They differ by country, and understanding inheritance laws in your native country can be challenging enough ...

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Dana Blue, a 44-year-old estate planning, probate, and real estate attorney in Philadelphia. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

Dana Blue is an estate-planning attorney who helps families navigate assets after a loved one dies. Inheritances can create an opportunity to purchase a house, return to school, or run a business.