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probate

Probate is defined as the official legal process of proving that a will is valid and of distributing the property and carrying out the actions as directed by the will.

(noun)

When someone writes a will and then dies and the will is verified and confirmed in court, the process of confirming it is an example of probate.

Probate is to establish that a will is valid.

(verb)

When an executor of an estate goes to court and proves that the will is valid and enforceable, the act of verifying the will is an example of probate.

See probate in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

the act or process of proving before a duly authorized person that a document submitted for official certification and registration, esp. a will, is genuine
the judicial certification of a will
a certified copy of a probated will
☆ all matters coming under the jurisdiction of probate courts

Origin: ME probat < L probatus, pp. of probare, to prove: see probe

adjective

having to do with probate or a probate court

transitive verb probated, probating

to establish officially the genuineness or validity of (a will)
☆ popularly to certify in a probate court as mentally unsound

See probate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

The process of legally establishing the validity of a will before a judicial authority.
Judicial certification of the validity of a will.
An authenticated copy of a will so certified.

transitive verb pro·bat·ed, pro·bat·ing, pro·bates

To establish the validity of (a will) by probate.

adjective

Of or relating to probate or to a probate court: probate law; a probate judge.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English probat

Origin: , from Latin probātum

Origin: , neuter past participle of probāre, to prove; see prove

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