Documents Needed for an Inheritance Advance — The Complete Checklist
Four documents are all most heirs need: the death certificate, the will or trust, the probate filing, and your ID. Here is the full checklist, who provides what, and what to do if something is missing.
Documentation for an Inheritance Advance: The documentation for an inheritance advance consists of proof of death (the death certificate), proof of your right to inherit (the will, trust, or state intestacy rules), proof the estate is in administration (the probate petition or case number), and proof of identity (a government-issued ID). The funding company gathers most estate documents directly from the court file or the estate attorney.
What documents do you need for an inheritance advance?
The documentation for an inheritance advance is far lighter than a loan application. There are no pay stubs, no tax returns, no bank statements, and no credit authorization, because approval is based on the estate rather than on you. Everything required falls into four groups:
1. Proof of death. A copy of the death certificate. A plain photocopy or scan is fine to start; we can obtain a certified copy later if the file needs one.
2. Proof of your inheritance right. The will naming you, the trust instrument if assets pass through a trust, or, when there is no will, your relationship to the deceased under the state's intestacy rules.
3. Proof the estate is in administration. The probate petition, the court case number, or letters testamentary or letters of administration showing a personal representative has been appointed. If probate has not been filed yet, we can still review the case and fund once the filing exists.
4. Proof of identity. A driver's license, passport, or other government-issued photo ID, plus your contact and banking details for the wire.
Who actually gathers the paperwork
Mostly, we do. Probate is a public court process, so once you give us the county and case number, our team pulls the petition, letters, and inventory directly from the court file. When an estate attorney is involved, we coordinate with their office for the will, the asset list, and payoff instructions. Heirs are typically asked for exactly two things they personally hold: their photo ID and the death certificate, and we can order the death certificate from vital records if you do not have one. The point of the process is that you should not spend a week of grief chasing paper.
Document checklist by situation
| Your Situation | Core Documents | Usually Provided By |
|---|---|---|
| Named in a will, probate filed | Death certificate, will, probate petition or letters, your ID | Court file + estate attorney; you provide ID |
| No will (intestate estate) | Death certificate, petition for administration, proof of relationship, your ID | Court file; you provide ID and relationship info |
| Trust beneficiary | Death certificate, trust instrument, trustee contact, your ID | Trustee or trust attorney; you provide ID |
| Probate not yet filed | Death certificate, will if any, estate asset summary, your ID | You + family; advance funds after filing |
Missing documents and common snags
Cannot find the will? The original is often lodged with the court, held by the drafting attorney, or in the deceased's safe deposit box. If no will surfaces, the estate proceeds intestate and your right to inherit comes from state law instead, which we can still verify from the court file.
No death certificate yet? Certificates typically issue within two weeks of death. We can start the estate review while you wait, or order a copy from county vital records on your behalf.
Probate has not been opened? An advance needs an estate to repay it, so funding waits for the filing, but the review, the quote, and the paperwork can all be completed beforehand so money moves the moment the case number exists. Our guide to how probate works explains the filing step.
Uncooperative personal representative? Because the court file is public, we rarely need their help to verify the estate. We routinely fund heirs whose sibling or step-parent runs the estate and is not answering calls.
Once the documents are verified, the rest is fast: a clear flat-fee offer, a short assignment agreement, and a wire that typically lands within 24 to 48 hours. Read about the full process or see what an advance costs.
Ready to start? Apply online in two minutes or call (800) 617-7260 with just the county where probate was filed. We will handle the paperwork from there.
Disclaimer: This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed by your use of this website or by any communication with First Heritage Funding or its employees. Although members of our team are licensed attorneys, First Heritage Funding is an inheritance advance company, not a law firm, and does not provide legal representation or legal services. Nothing on this website should be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal or financial counsel. Probate laws, timelines, and costs vary significantly by state and by individual circumstances. You should not act or refrain from acting based on information on this site without first consulting a qualified attorney or financial advisor in your jurisdiction.
Key takeaway: Heirs personally need only two documents for an inheritance advance: a photo ID and a copy of the death certificate. The will, probate filings, and estate details come from the public court file and the estate attorney, and the funding company gathers them. No pay stubs, no tax returns, no bank statements, and no credit authorization are ever required.
Inheritance Advance Documents FAQ
Not to get started. A photocopy or scan is enough for the initial review and quote. If a certified copy becomes necessary for the file, the funding company can order one from county vital records, usually for a fee of $10 to $25, without you standing in line.
Usually yes. Probate filings are public records, so the petition, letters, inventory, and accountings can be pulled directly from the court file without the executor's cooperation. Your advance is an assignment of your own share and does not require the executor's consent.
You can complete the entire application, review, and quote before filing, but funding waits until the probate case exists, because the estate is what repays the advance. If the family is delaying the filing, that is often the single step holding up your money.
No. Approval is based entirely on the estate: its value, its debts, and your share of it. No pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, employment verification, or credit authorization are part of the file. Banking details are collected only to deliver the wire.
For a typical estate with probate already filed, verification takes one business day or less, because the court file contains nearly everything needed. Complex estates, out-of-state property, or trusts with multiple amendments can add a day or two. Call (800) 617-7260 with the county and case number and we can usually confirm the same day.
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