So my elderly mother sold her house in 2018 and got a lump sum. I did advise her to open a vanguard account and she did, but found out just 3k is is in there, while the rest of the money (I'm not sure how much exactly, 150-200k) she has in her savings account (no other assets other than car signed over to my sister). She lives with my brother and also receives 2k/month after my father died this past year, so generally does not need to touch it at this time. Two questions. 1) how to best have her reintroduce that money in the stock market, given that she is old and the market is high, and 2) she doesn't have a will but wants to make sure it goes to her kids upon death without going through probate. Any suggestions? Anything big I'm overlooking? I am thinking for savings having the kids be named on the account, payable on death is sufficient (and she already did). For retirement/brokerage account thinking she simply needs to fill out beneficiary form. I do know it is more complicated than that, but these are first steps. We also want her to write out her medical directive and also wishes for funeral, but those are uncomfortable to her so not done yet.