Sunday, September 7, 2014

Understanding Inheritance Funding For Beneficiaries

By Kerri Stout


When someone dies, it often leaves family members with financial difficulties. Life insurance pay outs, if the deceased even had a policy, can take some time. Unfortunately, the same is true with will and inheritances. Before inheritances can be distributed, a court must review and certify the will. Depending on the volume of cases the court has, the number of beneficiaries and any other interference, the probate process can take some time. Inheritance funding is a means of providing financial support while you await the will's release from court.

The heir, or beneficiary, is the person noted in a will to inherit property, money, or both when the principle person dies. For inheritances, loans or advances are available on monetary amounts. Companies that provide this service know that wills can be tied up in probate for months. Instead of suffering financially, these advances and loans provide relief.

Advances and loans are two forms of financing available. An advance, as the name suggests, is when the company gives an amount of money to you in advance of the release of funds from probate. These types do not accrue interest. Once the court releases funds, the company deducts what it advanced from the inherited funds.

These funds can be in the form of a reassignment or as a loan. Advances are reassignments. On the other hand, a loan can work similar to an advance in terms of payment to you and in repayment. The difference is that interest is charged on the amount that is advanced to you. If an interest rate is charged, the company may or may not charge a processing fee.

The first step to get the ball rolling is to complete an application with the company you have chosen to use. Although companies may differ in their exact requirements, you should be prepared to provide specific documentation and information about what you are inheriting, including how long the case has been tied up in probate court. You will most likely also need to provide contact information for the lawyer handling the case so that he or she can provide all the legal details and verify the amount you are due to inherit.

If approved, the company will tell you how much they are loaning or advancing, along with fees that are being charged. The approval process can take as little as a few days or as long as a few weeks, often depending on the complexity of your case. Be aware that the amount the company approved you for may not be as much as you requested.

Pay attention to all the details in your contract agreement. Look closely at the repayment terms. If the company is providing you with a loan, it is likely that there will be a date set for payment in full. The company may opt not to deduct the total loan from what you inherit and you will be required to repay it out of pocket.

These advances and loans provide beneficiaries with the aid they need while they are waiting for the probate process to come to an end. Regardless of your circumstances, this financial assistance is a means of accessing needed funds. It is a good idea to have the probate lawyer assist you and examine your contract before you commit.




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