This article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD. Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. He received his JD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 and his PhD in American History from the University of Oregon in 2013.
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Probate refers to the legal process that takes place after someone dies and his or her estate is examined and distributed. This process can include proving the validity of a will, identifying and appraising the deceased person’s (decedent’s) assets, paying the decedent’s debts and taxes, and distributing the decedent’s property. If you were named in a will as executor or if you were appointed by the court to be an administrator or personal representative, you are responsible for filling out the probate forms, ensuring that the decedent’s property is protected and properly distributed, filing forms with the court, and paying any court fees from the estate.