Collecting an inheritance when you live outside the United States can feel like sprinting through customs with ankle weights on. Even the most straightforward estate must clear local court timelines, creditor notice periods, and administrative paperwork. When beneficiaries reside overseas, the court often requires additional affidavits, certified translations, and international notarizations, all of which lengthen the queue. Add in time-zone gaps that slow communication with the personal representative, and the process can easily stretch from months to years. That lag is precisely why many heirs look to a probate advance—an early, non-recourse payment based on their expected share—to bridge the cash-flow gap without waiting for final distribution.