Yes. If you are named as an heir or beneficiary of an estate that is going through probate, you can usually get an advance on your inheritance well before the estate closes. An inheritance advance gives you access to a portion of the money you are already expecting, so you don’t have to wait months, or sometimes more than a year, for the probate process to finish. Below we explain who qualifies, how it works, and what to watch for.
How an inheritance advance works
An inheritance advance is not a loan. Instead of borrowing money and paying interest, you sell a portion of your future inheritance to a funding company in exchange for cash today. When the estate pays out at the end of probate, the company is repaid its agreed share directly from your inheritance. Because it isn’t a loan, you make no monthly payments and you pay no interest that builds up over time.
The process is usually simple and fast. You apply, the company reviews the estate and confirms your share, you agree to clear terms with no hidden fees, and funds can often be released in as little as 24 hours. You can use the money however you like, since it is your inheritance.
Do I qualify to access my inheritance early?
Qualification depends on the estate, not on your personal finances. Because repayment comes from the estate rather than from you, most companies do not run a credit check and the advance does not appear on your credit report the way a traditional debt would. What matters most is that you are a confirmed heir or beneficiary, that the estate is in probate, and that there is a documented inheritance to advance against.
To confirm your eligibility, a probate advance company typically reviews basic documentation such as the death certificate, the will or probate petition, and paperwork showing your expected inheritance. A clearly documented, uncontested estate is the easiest to work with.
Advance vs. inheritance loan: know the difference
People often use the terms interchangeably, but they are not the same. With an inheritance loan you take on personal debt, pay interest, and remain responsible for repayment. With an inheritance advance you sell a portion of something you already own, so if the estate pays less than expected, the funding company absorbs the shortfall rather than you. That non-recourse protection is the single biggest reason many heirs choose an advance over a loan.
Inheritance loans are also often more expensive once interest is factored in, and you may receive less overall than if you had simply waited for probate to close. An advance gives you a single, transparent cost agreed up front.
How much of my inheritance can I advance?
You do not have to advance your entire inheritance. Many heirs request only what they need to cover immediate costs, such as bills, mortgage payments, or funeral expenses, and leave the rest to be distributed normally when the estate closes. The amount available depends on the size of your expected inheritance and the specifics of the estate.
How to get started
If you want to know exactly what you could receive, the best step is to request a free, no-obligation estimate. At Advanced My Inheritance, you can find out in about a minute with no credit check. We review your expected inheritance and the estate’s situation, then show you a clear number: the cash you would receive now and exactly what is repaid from your share later, with no interest and no monthly payments.
To see your number, you can estimate your advance or learn more about how inheritance advances work.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get an advance if the estate has no will?
Often yes. Even when there is no will, if probate confirms you as an heir with a documented share, you may still qualify. The company will review the estate’s paperwork to confirm.
Will getting an advance affect my credit?
No. Because repayment comes from the estate rather than from you, there is typically no credit check and the advance does not appear on your credit report as personal debt.
How long does it take to receive the money?
Once your documentation is confirmed, funding can often happen within 24 hours.
What if the probate process takes longer than expected?
Your cost does not increase. Unlike a loan, an advance has a fixed cost agreed up front, so delays in probate do not cost you more.