Probate

Probate is the legal process that transfers the legal title of property from the estate of the deceased to their beneficiaries.   During the probate process the executor of your will goes before the courts and indentifies and catalogs all the property you owned, appraises the property, and pays all debts and taxes, proves that the will is valid and legal, and distributes the property according to the instructions of the will.  Probate can be a long process, though there are some probate-avoiding processes for estates, such as trusts. Simply speak to your attorney to find out what is the best route for you.