what is probate 
the term probate refers to a legal process in which the validity and authenticity of a will are determined probate also refers to the general administration of a deceased person s will or the estate of a deceased person without a will after an asset holder dies the court appoints an executor named in the will or an administrator if there is no will to administer the process of probate this involves collecting the deceased s assets to pay any liabilities that remain on their estate and to distribute the assets to beneficiaries the bottom lineinheritance planning is an unpleasant but necessary task for those of advancing age while nobody enjoys thinking about their death a well structured estate plan can save your heirs and beneficiaries from a lot of legal unpleasantries moreover it can also ensure that they receive as much money as possible without losing too much value in taxes 