probate

American  

[proh-bayt] / ˈproʊ beɪt /

noun

• probates
  plural

1. Law. the official proving of a will as authentic or valid in a probate court.

2. an officially certified copy of a will so proved.

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adjective

1. of or relating to probate or a probate court.

verb (used with object)

• probates,
  present (3rd person singular)
• probated,
  past participle,  past
• probating
  present participle

1. to establish the authenticity or validity of (a will).

2. Law. to put (an offender) on probation.

probate British  

/ ˈprəʊbɪt, -beɪt /

noun

1. the act or process of officially proving the authenticity and validity of a will

2. 1. the official certificate stating a will to be genuine and conferring on the executors power to administer the estate

   2. the probate copy of a will

3. (in the US) all matters within the jurisdiction of a probate court

4. (modifier) of, relating to, or concerned with probate

   probate value

   a probate court

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verb

1. (tr) to establish officially the authenticity and validity of (a will)

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unprobated
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• probates
  plural

Participles

• probating
  present
• probated
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• probate
  simple
• probates
  simple
• have probated
  perfect
• has probated
  perfect
• am probating
  progressive
• are probating
  progressive
• is probating
  progressive
• have been probating
  perfect progressive
• has been probating
  perfect progressive

Past

• probated
  simple
• had probated
  perfect
• was probating
  progressive
• were probating
  progressive
• had been probating
  perfect progressive

Future

• will probate
  simple
• will have probated
  perfect
• will be probating
  progressive
• will have been probating
  perfect progressive

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Etymology

Origin of probate

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English probat, from Latin probātum “a thing approved,” noun use of neuter past participle of probāre “to examine, test”; see prove

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Explanation

Probate is the act of proving the legal validity of a will. A will may require probate because the person that signed it isn’t around to verify his or her signature. As Ambrose Bierce wrote, “Death is not the end. There remains the litigation over the estate.” So comes the need for the probate. Though probate, from the Latin probare, “to test or prove,” is usually used for wills, it can also be applied to other legal documents, as in the proving of the validity of a document, or an official certification proving the document is real. Probate is also a verb meaning “to place a convicted person on probation.”

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

probate probates probated probating

The Laiderman Law Firm says avoiding probate is a common goal — and with good reason.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 27, 2026

Small-estate procedures and other ways of avoiding probate vary widely by state.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 27, 2026

“These vary widely, underscoring the importance of understanding local laws if probate avoidance is a priority. Even a single missed step can inadvertently trigger probate.”

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 27, 2026

Other than avoiding probate, what benefits would a trust provide for a couple in our situation?

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 21, 2026

At a probate hearing after the death of George Bigheart, an attorney expressed bafflement at why loans ostensibly from Burt’s bank to the Osage were issued from Burt’s personal checkbook.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

The writer is a lawyer who specializes in wills, trusts, estates and probates.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 25, 2022

The website may also include information regarding probates, trusts and guardianships.

From Encyclopedia.com ● Jun. 12, 2018

The legal work was the basic fare: deeds, wills, taxes, probates, landlord issues, residency.

From Washington Post

He also extorted an excessive fee for putting the seal to all probates of wills, and letters of administration, even where the estates of the deceased were of the meanest value.

From The History of Virginia, in Four Parts by Robert Beverley

His abbatial functions, however, are confined to convening ecclesiastical courts, and granting probates of wills, and licenses for marriages, subject only to the metropolitan jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Armagh.

From Notes and Queries, Number 77, April 19, 1851 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc by George Bell

And if there is no property and no money in your probated estate to pay off your credit-card debt?

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 9, 2025

"The estate will actually be probated in accordance with intestate succession laws and the children would be lawfully next in line to inherit," he said.

From BBC ● Mar. 15, 2025

His law license will also be held in probated suspension for a year, which means he must comply with specific requirements but can practice law during that time.

From New York Times ● Mar. 30, 2024

Starr County District Attorney Gocha Ramirez agreed to pay a $1,250 fine and have his license held in a probated suspension for 12 months in a settlement reached with the State Bar of Texas.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 29, 2024

It is left with Mr. Dulany, the Attorney, who wrote it, to be probated in due Season.

From In Her Own Right by Clarence F. Underwood

There isn’t a statute of limitations on probating a will, but you must generally contest a will during the probate process.

From MarketWatch ● Dec. 4, 2025

Those chores can include arranging the funeral, probating the estate, closing accounts, canceling services and dealing with various government agencies, including Social Security and the IRS.

From Seattle Times ● May 9, 2022

The words judicial proceedings relate to the outcome of court actions: damage awards, the probating of wills, divorce decrees, and so forth.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2016

Originally facing 45 felony charges, he later plead guilty to two misdemeanors and was sentenced to probating and community service.

From Forbes ● Dec. 23, 2014

Finally they grow weary of probating him and carry out the nissaya against him, obliging him to remain under the superintendence of others.

From The Religions of India Handbooks on the History of Religions, Volume 1, Edited by Morris Jastrow by Edward Washburn Hopkins

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