How to determine where to open a probate estate? How does the probate process work? Probate is the court-supervised process of authenticating a last will and testament if the deceased made one. As the surviving spouse , executor , estate administrator or other legal representative of a deceased person and their estate , you will have many responsibilities.
The probate process can occur in different courts.
When a family member dies , you, or someone else close to that person , will want to take some basic steps fairly quickly. While you are not generally legally obligated to take these steps, getting them out of the way will make it easier for you and everyone else involved. See full list on moneycrashers. Once you’ve addressed the immediate needs that arise after the death, you’ll have to begin the process of managing and settling the estate. An “estate,” in legal terms, is the collection of assets, debts, and other issues left behind by a decedent.
The estate settlement process is the legal process of disposing of the assets, paying the debts, and addressing any other questions or legal issues that might arise, such as who becomes the owner of the decedent’s pets, or who is legally responsibl. (more…)