Inheritance Advance: What Documents Do You Need?

If you’re waiting on probate to close and need money sooner, an inheritance advance can get you a portion of your share now instead of months from now. The application itself is straightforward, but having the right paperwork ready speeds things up considerably. Here’s exactly what you’ll need.

Quick Answer: What Documents Do I Need for an Inheritance Advance?

Most providers ask for a death certificate, a copy of the petition for probate, a copy of the will or trust (if one exists), proof of your relationship to the deceased, and a list of the estate’s assets and debts. Some also ask for the addresses of any real estate in the estate and documentation of any prior advances you’ve received. There’s no credit check and no income requirement, since approval is based on your inheritance, not your finances.

What Is an Inheritance Advance?

An inheritance advance gives you access to a portion of your expected inheritance before probate closes, instead of waiting for the estate to fully settle. It’s not a loan. There’s no monthly payment and no interest that accrues over time, just a flat fee deducted from your share once the estate distributes.

Documents You’ll Need to Apply

Requirements vary slightly by provider, but most applications ask for the same core set of documents:

• Death certificate: proof that the individual has passed away.
• Petition for Probate: a copy showing the probate case has actually been opened.
• Will or trust document (if one exists): shows how the estate is meant to be distributed. If there’s no will, the court appoints an administrator instead of an executor, see our guide on letters of administration for what that involves.
• Proof of your relationship to the deceased: such as a birth certificate or marriage license, if you’re not named directly in the will.
• Inventory of assets: a list of what the estate owns.
• List of outstanding debts: including things like medical bills, credit card balances, or child support owed by the estate.
• Real estate addresses: if the estate includes property, the provider will want to check market data to confirm value.
• Documentation of any prior advances: if you’ve already received an advance from another provider, copies of that paperwork.

How Much Can You Get?

The amount you can access typically runs up to 30 to 35% of your expected share of the inheritance, and can go higher in some cases depending on the estate. The exact amount depends on the estate’s value and the strength of your documentation. The fee itself isn’t a percentage, it’s a flat, one-time payoff amount that varies based on the advance size and how long probate is expected to take. See our guide to inheritance advance fees for more on how that’s calculated.

How the Approval Process Works

Once you submit your documents, the provider verifies that you’re a legitimate beneficiary and that probate has actually been opened. From there, they evaluate the estate’s assets and any outstanding debts to estimate its net value. If everything checks out, you’ll receive an offer based on your estimated share. Approval and funding can happen in as little as a few days once your paperwork is complete, since there’s no credit check or income verification involved.

Need Funds? ProbateLend Can Help

Gathering documents doesn’t have to be a bottleneck. A probate advance gives you access to a portion of your expected inheritance now instead of waiting for the estate to close, and our team can walk you through exactly what paperwork you need for your specific situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What documents do I need to apply for an inheritance advance?

Most providers require a death certificate, a copy of the petition for probate, the will or trust if one exists, proof of your relationship to the deceased, and a list of the estate’s assets and debts.

Do I need good credit to qualify?

No. Inheritance advances aren’t based on your credit score or income. Approval depends on the value of your expected inheritance and the estate’s documentation.

How much of my inheritance can I get in advance?

Typically up to 30 to 35% of your expected share, though it can go higher depending on the estate’s value and how far along probate is.

How long does it take to get approved?

Once your documents are submitted, approval and funding can happen within days, much faster than waiting for probate to close, which usually takes 9 to 18 months.

What if I don’t have all the documents yet?

Start the process anyway. Providers can often begin reviewing your case while you gather remaining paperwork, and can tell you exactly what’s still needed.

Having the right documents ready is the fastest way to get from application to funding. See if you qualify for a probate advance with ProbateLend.