Which term describes the process of proving a will and admitting it to probate?

Which term describes the process of proving a will and admitting it to probate?

• A. Intestacy
• B. Testation
• C. Administration
• D. Probate

Answer: (D)

Probate is the court-supervised process that proves the validity of a will and admits it to probate. This step officially recognizes the will as the authentic expression of the decedent’s wishes, appoints a personal representative (executor) if named in the will, and begins the administration of the estate. From there, assets are identified, debts and taxes are paid, and remaining property is distributed to beneficiaries. Intestacy refers to dying without a valid will, so a court determines distribution under state law rather than admitting a will. Testation is the act of making the will itself. Administration is the ongoing management and distribution of the estate after probate has started, or when there is no will and an administrator handles the process instead of an executor.

Probate is the court-supervised process that proves the validity of a will and admits it to probate. This step officially recognizes the will as the authentic expression of the decedent’s wishes, appoints a personal representative (executor) if named in the will, and begins the administration of the estate. From there, assets are identified, debts and taxes are paid, and remaining property is distributed to beneficiaries.

Intestacy refers to dying without a valid will, so a court determines distribution under state law rather than admitting a will. Testation is the act of making the will itself. Administration is the ongoing management and distribution of the estate after probate has started, or when there is no will and an administrator handles the process instead of an executor.