Glossary
Probate
The court-supervised process of handling a deceased person's estate: proving any will is valid, paying debts, and distributing what's left to heirs. Most states have specialized probate courts for these matters.
When someone dies, their property doesn't just automatically transfer to family. There's a legal process: probate: that makes sure debts get paid and that property goes to the right people. If there was a will, the probate court confirms it's valid and oversees the executor. If there wasn't, state intestacy laws determine who inherits.
Probate ranges from simple (a small estate with a clear will and no disputes) to extremely complex (large estates, contested wills, blended families). Many states have streamlined small-estate processes that avoid full probate.