When will I receive my inheritance money?

Most people receive their inheritance money when probate is complete, which normally takes between 6-12 months.

Waiting for an inheritance can feel emotionally and financially draining. For so many people, receiving their inheritance can add an extra layer of financial security during a very difficult time. However, the reality is that receiving this inheritance often takes a lot longer than people expect.

If you’re feeling unsure about when your inheritance will arrive, you’re not alone. In the UK, the majority of beneficiaries wait six to twelve months before receiving their inheritance, and many estates take longer, especially if property, shares, or overseas assets are involved. 

At Provira, we understand that this wait can feel endless, especially if you are struggling financially. That’s why we offer an Inheritance Advance, where beneficiaries can receive up to 50% of their inheritance within weeks, often before probate has even started.

To find out more about our Inheritance Advance, click here

How long does it take to get an inheritance?

Most estates take 6 to 12 months from the date of death before money is paid out to the beneficiaries. This is because a number of legal and financial steps have to be taken before a penny is paid out. Unfortunately, nothing can be passed on straight away. 

For very simple estates, for example, if there is no property or assets involved, beneficiaries could get their inheritance within 2-3 months. However, this is unusual. 

Unfortunately, the larger and more complicated the estate, the longer the wait. 

If you’re dealing with an estate that includes property, shares, multiple bank accounts, overseas assets, or missing paperwork, the waiting period is almost always longer.

Why does it take so long to get your inheritance?

Getting your inheritance takes a while because a number of steps need to be taken first. These include:

1. The executor needs to apply for probate

Before anything can be paid out, the executor has to apply for a grant of probate (or letters of administration if there is no will). Probate gives them the legal authority to deal with the estate.

Once granted, probate itself can take months, especially if the Probate Registry is experiencing any kind of backlog.

2. All assets in the estate have to be valued

Next, all the assets in the estate have to be valued. This is so that HMRC can work out how much Inheritance Tax needs to be paid by the estate. 

The executor needs to make sure that all assets are listed for valuation. That includes bank accounts, property, shares, investments and personal possessions. The more assets there are in an estate, the more time it takes to get these valuations. 

3. Inheritance Tax must be paid 

Before probate is officially granted, Inheritance Tax must be paid. This can cause a tricky situation for executors; The money is due before the estate can be accessed, but many times, the money needed to pay the Inheritance Tax is locked in the estate.

Luckily, a good solution exists. To help with Inheritance Tax payments, Provira’s Estate Advance allows executors to access up to 50% of the estate value within a week. That way, Inheritance Tax can be paid quickly, and the probate process can begin earlier.

To find out if you are eligible for an Estate Advance, fill in our form here.

Alongside Inheritance Tax, executors also need to pay any outstanding: 

• Loans
• Credit cards
• Utility bills
• Funeral expenses
• Professional fees (like lawyers)

This stage alone can take several months, especially if executors struggle to find the money to pay Inheritance Tax.

4. Assets need to be collected or sold 

Next, the assets in the estate need to be sold or collected. Some things can be fast; for example, bank accounts are relatively easy to collect. 

However, selling assets like property or shares may take a lot longer. Until all assets are sold, the executor can’t distribute a penny.

5. Executors need to wait for any claims

Another reason that receiving your inheritance can take so long is that executors usually wait for a period of time in case any unforeseen debts arise. This is designed to protect the estate so that beneficiaries aren’t paid out before all debts are covered. And whilst it is a good thing to do, it can delay the timeline even more.

How long after probate will I receive my inheritance?

Once probate has been granted by HMRC, an estate is usually paid out within 3 to 6 months, although this can be longer if assets need to be sold.

For example, if a property is on the market, it may take 6 months to get an offer, let alone exchange and complete. Whilst this can be frustrating, unfortunately, there’s not much you can do to speed things along.

If there is no will, will it take longer to receive my inheritance?

If there is no will, it might take a bit longer to receive your inheritance. This is because if a person dies without a valid will, the estate has to be distributed under the rules of intestacy.

In this case, an administrator has to be appointed to manage the estate. This can delay the process as they work out what assets are within the estate, who the beneficiaries may be and how to distribute the funds. 

What if waiting to receive your inheritance causes financial stress?

Financial stress can be incredibly difficult. And if you are worried about it, you are not alone. 

Many beneficiaries use their inheritance to cover living costs, debt, rent, childcare, or major life events. Waiting a year or more, especially during a difficult time, is simply not realistic for everyone.

This is exactly why Provira exists.

With an Inheritance Advance from Provira, you can access up to 50% of your inheritance within days, not months.

There are:

• No monthly repayments
• No credit checks
• No personal guarantees
• No charges against your property
• No early repayment fees

The advance is paid back to us directly from the estate by the executor, so you don’t even need to worry about repayment.

Want to access your inheritance sooner? Start your application today, it takes just a few minutes.

Receiving inheritance money: how long does it take?

Unfortunately, receiving your inheritance is rarely a quick process. Even simple estates take months, and complicated ones can take a lot longer. It’s completely normal to feel frustrated or anxious, especially if you’re depending on that money.

At Provira, we believe beneficiaries shouldn’t have to put their lives on hold. If you need access to your inheritance sooner, our compassionate, experienced team is here to help.

Ready to move forward? Apply for an Inheritance Advance today.