SBA 7(a) Q&A
Short answer
Yes, inherited money held in a trust can generally be used for your equity injection, provided the funds are fully accessible to you and unencumbered.
If the trust legally allows for the distribution of funds to you, the beneficiary, for such a purpose, and these funds are not pledged as collateral elsewhere, they are considered unencumbered. Documentation of the trust agreement and proof of distribution will be required by the lender.
A buyer needs $150,000 for their equity injection. They have $100,000 in personal savings and access to $50,000 from an irrevocable trust of which they are the sole beneficiary. Both sources combined can meet the requirement.
13 CFR Part 120 — Business Loans
Office of the Federal Register · Federal regulation
SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs
Last checked 2026-06-14. Official sources control — verify before relying on any rule for a live deal.
Last reviewed 2026-06-14 · SBA sources checked through 2026-06-14. DealRoom analysis of public SBA 7(a) lending records (FY2020–present). Grounded in the current SBA rulebook; verify against the official sources above before relying on it for a live deal. Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision.
More on gift/investor funds
Terms in this answer
Pre-qualify your SBA 7(a) deal
Tell us the business, the price, and where you are — we'll point you to the lenders most likely to fund a deal like yours and flag anything that trips up approval.
Free · No documents · Usually same-day