Probate refers to the legal process of administering a deceased person’s estate, which includes validating their will (if there is one), paying off debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining assets to beneficiaries.
Book Probate ConsultationThe executor (or a court-appointed administrator if there’s no will) submits the will to probate court.
The court formally appoints an executor (named in the will) or an administrator (if no will exists) to manage the estate.
The executor or administrator compiles a list of the deceased’s assets, including bank accounts, real estate, investments, and personal property.
Before distributing assets to beneficiaries, the executor must pay off any debts, taxes, and administrative costs.
Once debts and taxes are cleared, the executor distributes the remaining assets to beneficiaries according to the will or, if there’s no will, based on state laws of intestacy.
The probate process can take months or even years depending on the complexity of the estate and any legal challenges that arise. Some assets, like jointly owned property or life insurance payouts, may bypass probate altogether.
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