Probate

Probate is the legal and judicial process through which a court validates a deceased person’s will, appoints an executor or personal representative, and oversees the administration of the estate—this includes collecting assets, settling debts and taxes, and distributing property to heirs or beneficiaries in accordance with the will, or state law if there is no will. Probate proceedings ensure the proper transfer of ownership and legal rights, but not all assets go through probate—some, like jointly owned property and accounts with designated beneficiaries, pass directly to new owners outside of the court process. Probate can be time-consuming, public, and costly depending on the complexity of the estate and state laws.​