Probate: meaning, definitions and examples
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probate
[ ˈproʊbeɪt ]
legal process
Probate is the legal process by which a deceased person's will is validated and their estate is administered. It involves proving the authenticity of the will and ensuring that the deceased's debts are paid and assets distributed according to their wishes.
Synonyms
estate administration, inheritance process, wills validation.
Examples of usage
- The probate court will review the will to ensure it is valid.
- He filed for probate to manage his late father's estate.
- After her mother's death, she had to go through probate to settle the inheritance.
- The probate process can take several months to complete.
Translations
Translations of the word "probate" in other languages:
🇵🇹 inventário
🇮🇳 वसीयत
🇩🇪 Testamentvollstreckung
🇮🇩 probate
🇺🇦 спадщина
🇵🇱 spadek
🇯🇵 遺言執行
🇫🇷 testament
🇪🇸 testamento
🇹🇷 vasiyet
🇰🇷 유언 집행
🇸🇦 تنفيذ الوصية
🇨🇿 probátní řízení
🇸🇰 dedičstvo
🇨🇳 遗嘱认证
🇸🇮 zapustitev
🇮🇸 testament
🇰🇿 мұрагерлік
🇬🇪 მემკვიდრეობა
🇦🇿 vəsiyyət
🇲🇽 testamento
Etymology
The term 'probate' originates from the Latin word 'probatum', which means 'to prove'. This legal process dates back to the Roman law system, where the legitimacy of a will was establishment by a designated authority. Over the centuries, probate laws evolved through common law and statutory changes, becoming an essential part of estate planning in many jurisdictions. In England, the Court of Probate was established in the 19th century, formalizing the process and making it more accessible. In contemporary legal practice, probate is significant for ensuring that the deceased's final wishes are honored and that the distribution of their assets is carried out fairly, providing a structured means to resolve conflicts surrounding inheritance.