I won't make any assumptions about the source of the money. Typically however, this can be an emotional time and the most important thing to do is not act rashly.
If this is an amount of money you have never seen before, getting advice from a fee only financial adviser would be my second step. The first step is to breathe and promise yourself you will NOT make any decisions about this money in the short term. Better to have $100K in the bank earning nearly zero interest than to spend it in the wrong way.
If you have to receive the money before you can meet with an adviser, then just open a new savings account at your bank (or credit union) and put the money in there. It will be safe and sound.
- Visit http://www.napfa.org/ and interview at least three advisers.
- Understand what they want to charge you for their advice
- Get to know them and feel comfortable with who you pick
- Take your time, as this step in important.
- With their guidance, think about what your goals are. Do you want to invest and grow the money? Pay off debt? Own a home or new large purchase? These are personal decisions, but the adviser might help you think of goals you didn't imagine
- Create a plan and execute it.