what is probate 
probate is the process completed when a decedent leaves assets to distribute such as bank accounts real estate and financial investments probate is the general administration of a deceased person s will or the estate of a deceased person without a will an executor is commonly named in the will or an administrator if there is no will to complete the probate process this involves collecting the deceased s assets to pay any remaining liabilities on their estate and distributing the assets to beneficiaries 