Heir and beneficiary matters
The probate of estates is the legal process through which a deceased person’s assets are identified, managed, and distributed according to their will or, if they died without a will (intestate), according to state laws. During probate, the court oversees the administration of the estate, including validating the will (if one exists), appointing an executor or personal representative to manage the estate, paying any outstanding debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining assets to the rightful heirs or beneficiaries.
The purpose of probate is to ensure that the deceased’s affairs are handled properly, creditors are paid, and the assets are transferred legally and fairly. While probate is necessary in many cases, some assets, such as those held in trusts or jointly owned property, may bypass the probate process entirely.