Probate Bridging Finance

Probate lending provides short-term loans to executors or beneficiaries of an estate while they realise assets within the Estate. This process can often take 6–12 months or more, delaying access to estate funds. A probate loan helps cover urgent costs.
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What can your Probate Bridge cover?

  • Inheritance Tax (IHT)
  • Legal and administration fees
  • Property maintenance
  • Early financial support for beneficiaries

Max LTV: Up to 75%

Loan Size: £100k - £1m

Loan Term: 3–12 months

How Seneca’s Non-Regulated Probate Loans Work

Seneca Bridging offers probate loans that are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This allows us to offer greater flexibility, particularly for loans secured against property.

It is important to note that Seneca can only complete a probate loan after the Grant of Probate has been issued.

Key Features

  • Loan size: £100,000 – £1,000,000
  • Loan term: 3–12 months
  • Security: An unencumbered property within the estate
  • Loan-to-Value (LTV): Up to 75%
  • Use of funds: IHT, legal fees, property upkeep, etc.
  • Repayment: Usually through the sale of the property or receipt of inheritance funds

Why Choose a Non-Regulated Loan?

Non-regulated loans are designed for cases where the property won’t be used as a primary residence by the borrower or their immediate family. This includes:

  • Investment properties
  • Assets held within an estate
  • Business purposes

Benefits include faster approvals, more flexible terms, and fewer restrictions. However, borrowers should be aware that these loans typically have higher interest rates, shorter repayment periods, and carry the risk of losing the property if the loan isn’t repaid.

Example Scenario

A family inherited a property valued at £500,000 but faced a £100,000 IHT bill and a £150,000 outstanding mortgage. They used a £250,000 probate loan to cover these costs, carried out light renovations, and eventually sold the property for £550,000—avoiding a rushed sale at a much lower price.

Is a Probate Loan Right for You?

Consider this option if:

  • Grant of Probate has been issued
  • You need funds quickly during the probate process
  • The estate includes property assets
  • You have a clear repayment plan (such as selling the property)
  • You want to avoid a forced sale or late payment penalties

Lending Process

Initial Enquiry

Provide details about the estate, the property being used as security, the funds required, status of the grant of probate and how you plan to repay the loan.

Decision in Principle

We’ll issue a personalised Decision in Principle.

Valuation

An independent valuer assesses the property to confirm its value and suitability as security.

Legal Steps & Receiving Funds

Once legal checks are complete and the Grant of Probate has been issued, funds are released—often within a few weeks.

What does a good probate loan look like?

  • The property is owned by you or your company or, where the loan is to support a purchase, the property will be owned by you or your company.
  • The property is located in England, Wales or Scotland.
  • You have an idea of the value of the property.
  • You are familiar with probate finance and how it works.
  • We consider most asset classes for the purposes of secured lending, though there are a small number of exemptions, such as land without planning permission, Nursing Homes and Operating Hotels.
  • You have a clear and viable exit strategy. If the exit strategy involves refinancing the security to a long-term lender, we’ll assess the loan in line with standard industry criteria.