Probate
The legal and financial process that occurs after the death of an individual
What is Probate?
Probate is the legal and financial process that occurs after the death of an individual and specifically deals with the individual’s will, property, and assets. Probate can be a time-consuming process and typically includes court appearances and a lot of paperwork.
Among the many things sorted out during the probate period are:
- Submission of proof through the courts that an individual’s will is valid
- Making a catalog of the deceased’s property and ensuring that each item is assigned a proper value
- The payment of all debts and taxes associated with the individual
- Distribution of assets, as assigned by the will or by the courts
Most families hire a probate lawyer to deal with all of the issues mentioned above. However, the attorney might’ve been assigned to the case before the passing of the individual whose matters are being dealt with. All fees associated with the probate process – specifically the retainer and fees for the attorney – are typically paid out of the deceased’s estate.
How Probate Works
The process of probate can be lengthy but is generally left up to professionals. In most cases, an executor is named in the deceased’s will. While they can be a private citizen, it’s typically a lawyer. The executor is responsible for getting together and submitting the necessary paperwork required to start and finalize the probate process.
If there is no will, or no executor is named, a family member or individual appointed by the family of the deceased may serve as executor. However, a judge must determine that the appointed person is suited for the task and give them the right to serve as executor.
In the event that formal probate steps aren’t needed – meaning court hearings aren’t required – a family member or the nearest relative to the deceased takes on the role of executor and usually gets a lawyer involved to be certain that all steps have been followed appropriately.
If a will is clearly spelled out, there are no contentions, and the named executor is able and willing to, the probate process simply means the elected executor is responsible for dividing and distributing assets, paying off debts, and making sure that the deceased’s estate is left as intended.
Importance of Probate
While the probate process – especially when lawyers are involved – only takes away from what beneficiaries get from a person’s will, the process can be stripped down and fairly simple. Not all property is required to pass through probate.
A certain amount of property – usually measured by dollar amount – can be dealt with and distributed without the need for probate. If there is any significant property left over, there are simplified procedures that can quickly and easily transfer property to the intended or desired owner.
Probate is specifically appropriate and necessary for individuals with a significant amount of property or wealth and even more needed if there are, or will likely be, those who contest the individual’s will and how the relevant assets are going to be distributed.
The probate process is common and especially helpful in cases where the deceased owns a significant amount of property or wealth, as well as when there is a good chance that the will is going to be contested. For individuals with less property or firmly-established plans to deal with their things once they’ve passed, the probate process – if it is even necessary – can be fairly quick and painless.
Additional Resources
CFI offers the Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA)™ certification program for those looking to take their careers to the next level. To keep learning and advancing your career, the following CFI resources will be helpful:
