Probate is the legal process that occurs after a person’s death to prove the validity of their will and to administer their estate. The purpose of probate is to ensure that the deceased person’s assets are distributed according to their wishes as set out in their will, and to settle any outstanding debts or liabilities.
Probate may be required if the deceased person owned property in their own name and did not have a joint tenant or a beneficiary designated in a trust. In this case, the property may need to be transferred to the beneficiaries or to the estate to be administered according to the terms of the will.
Probate can be a complex and time-consuming process, and normally requires the assistance of a solicitor. It’s important to be aware of the probate process and to plan ahead to minimize the impact on the deceased person’s estate and the beneficiaries.
