What Is Probate?

About Probate

Probate is a legal process that occurs after someone passes away, ensuring that their estate is properly administered.

When a person passes away, their estate typically consists of assets like property, bank accounts, investments and personal belongings. Probate is the formal procedure that validates the deceased’s will (if one exists), authorises the executor to carry out their specific instructions and ensures that all debts, taxes and other liabilities are settled before the remaining assets are distributed to beneficiaries. Thousands of UK households experience go through the probate process every year.

When someone passes without a valid will, they are said to have died "intestate." In this case, the court appoints an administrator to manage the estate, following the statutory rules for inheritance. These rules determine how the deceased's property is divided among surviving family members. However, if there is a will, the named executor will be responsible for overseeing the probate and estate administration and carrying out any probate-related services like paperwork search, chattel valuation, clearing and property appraisal for a potential sale.

Probate can be a lengthy and complex process due to legal processes, sometimes taking months, which is why individuals choose professional groups like Hunter Morgan to oversee the sale and management of their estates.