What is Probate?
Probate is a legal proceeding by which a deceased family member's (or deceased person's) estate is lawfully distributed to beneficiaries and appointed heirs. Probate is also the process where any debt left behind by the deceased person, that is owed to creditors is paid in full.
Probate property is allocated according to the deceased person's last will and testament, if there is one (a will), or in accordance with state law if it is found that no will exists.