Inheritance advance vs probate loan vs waiting
If an estate is tied up in probate, there are three broad choices: a beneficiary borrows against their share, the estate borrows, or everyone waits. Here's how they differ.
The options in one line each
| Option | Who gets the money | Usually used for | Who repays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inheritance advance | A beneficiary | Anything. The providers we list say use is unrestricted | Repaid from that beneficiary's share when the estate pays out |
| Probate / estate loan | The executors, for the estate | Inheritance Tax, funeral, legal fees, property costs | The estate, as an expense, before beneficiaries are paid |
| Waiting | Nobody, yet | – | Nothing to repay |
Inheritance advance
A provider lends a beneficiary part of their expected inheritance: up to 50%, 60%, or 70–80% depending on the provider and stage (see the comparison). There are usually no monthly payments. The fee and interest build up and are taken from the inheritance when it's paid out. The providers we list say you won't normally owe a shortfall if the inheritance turns out smaller, provided you keep to the agreement.
The cost depends on time. Published representative examples include:
- Provira: £50,000 advance, £63,240 owed after 12 months (representative APR 26.5%), from its product page.
- Untangled: £15,000 borrowed, £18,169 repaid after 12 months (representative APR 21.2%), from its product page.
If the estate takes 24 months instead of 12, interest roughly doubles or more. Try different timings in the calculator.
Structure matters. Some advances are written as regulated consumer credit agreements. At least one provider's FAQ describes its product as buying a percentage of your expected inheritance. The protections can differ, so ask which yours is (see questions to ask).
Probate or estate loan
This is borrowing by the executors on behalf of the estate. It's often used because some Inheritance Tax normally has to be paid before probate can be granted (GOV.UK). Several of the providers in our comparison also offer IHT or estate-expense loans. We don't compare those yet.
Check the cheaper routes first:
- Direct Payment Scheme: banks and building societies can pay Inheritance Tax to HMRC straight from the deceased's accounts using form IHT423, though not every provider takes part (GOV.UK).
- Instalments: tax on things that take time to sell, such as property, can be paid in equal yearly instalments over 10 years. Interest is usually charged (GOV.UK).
- Paying it yourself: if you pay the tax from your own account, you can claim it back from the estate (GOV.UK).
Waiting
Waiting costs nothing, and it's the right answer for most people who don't urgently need the money. The current average from application to grant is 6.5 weeks (Aug 2026, HMCTS). After that, the executor still has to collect assets and settle debts before paying out. You can also ask the executor whether a part payment (an "interim distribution") might be possible once money has been collected. They'll need to keep enough back for debts, tax and costs, so it may not be.
A simple way to decide
- Is the need urgent and important, such as avoiding arrears or a time-limited purchase? If not, waiting is usually cheapest.
- Is it the estate that needs money, for tax or costs? Look at the Direct Payment Scheme, instalments and estate loans before a personal advance.
- If you do borrow, borrow only what you need, compare the total repayable at realistic timings, and read what to ask.
This guide is general information, not financial or legal advice. If you're unsure, talk to the executor's solicitor or an independent adviser.