News

Simple Interest Explained

Kate Hilton — Wed, 27 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

How we charge interest:

At Untangled interest is calculated using a ‘Simple interest’ method.

The IHT freeze is creating a cashflow problem introducers cannot ignore

Amanda Wesson — Wed, 27 May 2026 09:45:00 GMT

This article is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice, nor does it represent an offer of credit.

By Becky Dixon, Growth Manager at Ampla Finance

I suspect, like me, you have seen a steady stream of commentary around inheritance tax over the past few months, whether that has come through the trade press, the mainstream media, or simply in passing conversations with clients.

On the surface, the direction of travel looks fairly clear. HMRC data shows inheritance tax receipts reached £7.7bn between April 2025 and February 2026, and with thresholds remaining frozen until 2031, following last year’s Autumn Budget, more estates are being pulled into scope. In many cases, that change is only felt once the process is already underway.

However, and this is where the conversation may need to change, focusing on the size of the tax take can overlook what is actually driving most of the friction. Because, in my view, this is not really about how much is owed, it is about when it is owed, and whether the money is actually there to pay it at that point.

When it works on paper, but not in reality

On paper, many estates look perfectly fine, often more than comfortable, with enough value tied up in property or other assets to cover any inheritance tax liability. In theory, that should provide reassurance.

In reality, however, this is where things start to come unstuck. Inheritance tax is often payable before probate is granted, creating a situation where a liability has crystallised, but access to the funds needed to settle it is still out of reach. It is one of those details that is really easy to overlook until you are in the middle of it, and by then, it can come as quite a shock.

At the same time, and this is something we see repeatedly, the wider responsibilities of managing an estate do not pause. Legal fees build, properties need to be maintained and insured, and decisions still need to be made, all while the value of the estate remains locked away.

A process that rarely runs to time

We all know probate is not quick, but there is still a tendency to underestimate how long it can take. In a simple case, you might be looking at a few months, but anything more complex, particularly where property is involved, timelines can stretch far beyond that, often with little certainty.

And this is where, in my view, the real tension sits. Not in the tax itself, but in the gap between when obligations arise and when assets can actually be realised. It may not be obvious at the outset, but it becomes very real once the process is underway.

What this looks like on the ground

If we step away from the policy side of things for a moment, the scenarios are easy to recognise. It could be an executor needing to settle an inheritance tax bill while still waiting for probate to come through, or a property sitting unsold with costs ticking up in the background. Families are often left making decisions without a clear sense of timing.

None of this is unusual, and that is precisely the point. These are not edge-cases, they are a natural consequence of how the system works, and as more estates fall into scope, we are seeing them more often.

Where short-term funding comes into the conversation

There are, of course, ways to deal with this. In certain cases, short-term funding may be considered to help manage the timing gap between liability and access. This can, in some circumstances, help executors meet unavoidable costs without needing to accelerate decisions prematurely. It is not the answer in every situation, but where it is relevant, it can make a meaningful difference.

Any lending option should be considered carefully, taking into account the cost of borrowing, the circumstances of the estate, and the executor’s responsibilities.

You might say this is not really an issue for an introducer, and to an extent that is true, but in reality, the lines are becoming more blurred. Where property is involved, or where clients are trying to understand their options, these conversations often find their way back to the introducer earlier than expected.

At Ampla, we are focused on supporting executors and beneficiaries where timing and access do not quite align, with a focus on simplifying what can often be a complex process.

That does not mean stepping outside of their advice framework, but it does mean having a working awareness of how these situations develop. Because whether we like it or not, clients will ask questions, and increasingly those questions will touch on this timing gap.

The key point, and this is something we see time and time again, is that these options work best when they are considered early, rather than at the point where pressure is already building and choices feel limited.

A different way of looking at it

It is easy to think about inheritance tax purely in terms of liability. How much is owed, and why. But for most people, the more immediate concern is far simpler. When does the bill need to be paid, and how is it paid if the funds are not yet accessible?

Once you look at it that way, the conversation shifts. It becomes less about the value within the estate, and more about the timing of access.

Inheritance tax receipts are expected to reach around £8.7bn in the 2025 to 2026 tax year, which suggests this is only going to become more common. Ultimately, the challenge is not whether the wealth exists, because in many cases it clearly does, but whether it can be accessed at the moment it is needed most.

All lending is subject to status, eligibility, and affordability assessments. Terms and conditions apply. Borrowing involves the payment of interest and charges, and failure to maintain repayments may result in additional costs and could affect your credit file. Ampla Finance is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Individuals should seek independent professional advice tailored to their circumstances before entering into any credit agreement.

From stuck to Sorted. Funding the first IHT instalment

Kate Hilton — Wed, 27 May 2026 09:00:00 GMT

We were recently approached by a Law firm who were seeking funding support from Untangled for a loan of approximately £11,000

The Law firm were acting as executors of the estate. Not a relative. Not a friend. A professional stepping in to take responsibility where no one else could. They required funds to cover the first instalment of the inheritance tax payment, as well as executor fees incurred during the administration process.

The twist? We weren’t asked to fund the full IHT liability, just the initial payment needed to get probate granted. A slight shift from the “norm”, and exactly the kind of scenario where agile funding can help to unlock progress.

We acted. We worked alongside the solicitors and, following completion of our underwriting and affordability assessments, we provided a regulated loan to cover costs so the estate could move forward.

This is our aim: We seek to unblock. We strive to enable. We assist with moving estate funding challenges from stuck to sorted.

New Brand, Untangled, FAQ's

Kate Hilton — Wed, 27 May 2026 08:15:00 GMT

Why are Ampla rebranding to Untangled?

We’ve grown. And the way we talk about what we do needed to catch up.

“Ampla Finance” served us well, but it doesn’t fully reflect how we help today, simplifying complex financial decisions and helping to make them easier to act on.

“Untangled” is a better expression of that.
Because that’s what we do: we untangle things.

Are you still the same company?

Yes. Same people, same values, same approach.

The only thing changing is how we present ourselves. Everything our clients and customers rely on, stays the same.

Why the name “Untangled”?

Because finance can feel… complicated.

We believe it doesn’t need to be.

Untangled represents our commitment to clarity – cutting through jargon, helping to make things more understandable, allowing people to move forward with confidence.

What does this mean for me as a client orcustomer?

Very little will change day-to-day.

You’ll still work with the same team, in the same way.

What you will notice is clearer communication, simpler explanations, and a more straightforward experience overall. Accompanied by a new brand in communications going forward.

Will your services change?

No, but how we deliver them will keep improving.

This rebrand is about making what we already do feel easier, more accessible, and more aligned with what our clients and customers actually need.

Will your contact details change?

Over time, yes. Things like email addresses and our website will transition to reflect the new name.

We’ll make that change gradually and guide you through it, so nothing gets missed.

When is this happening?

We’re introducing Untangled gradually.

You may start to see the name appear in places before the full change happens – think of this as the beginning, not a big overnight switch.

Do I need to do anything?

No, we’ll take care of everything behind the scenes.

If anything, ever does require your attention, we’ll make it simple and clear.

Have a question?

If you have any questions regarding the rebrand, please contact 0800 009 6590 or hello@amplafinance.com

How finance options could help when probate drags on.

Kate Hilton — Wed, 27 May 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Probate can move slowly. Even with courts cutting the wait for a grant to just over four weeks, that’s only one step in a long process.

Most estates still take six to twelve months from death to final pay-out. Longer if there’s overseas property or trusts involved.

In that time money sits locked away. Bills don’t. Tax doesn’t.

Demand is high and rising, around 292,000 probate applications were filed in 2022, growing by roughly 3% a year since 2020. The system is braced for over 350,000 cases a year. Long delays are becoming more common too, cases taking over a year are up to 134% in just three years, and those nearing two years are up 132%.

Ampla Finance provides loans that could help you access your inheritance early. It could keep families moving when the process of probate doesn’t. It covers costs while assets remain tied up. It can help to remove pressure, not add to it.

When probate slows everything down, we are here to help get life moving again.