What is Probate?

Probate is a legal process that takes place after someone dies. It includes:

-proving in court that a deceased person's will is valid (usually a routine matter)
-identifying and inventorying the deceased person's property
-having the property appraised
-paying debts and taxes, and
-distributing the remaining property as the will (or state law, if there's no will) directs.

Typically, probate involves paperwork and court appearances by lawyers. The lawyers and court fees are paid from estate property, which would otherwise go to the people who inherit the deceased person's property.