probate

American  

[proh-beyt] / ˈproʊ beɪt /

noun

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)

probated, probating

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

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

probate British  

/ -beɪt, ˈprəʊbɪt /

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

• unprobated adjective

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”; prove

Example Sentences

Creditors often find it more cost-effective to write off smaller debts than to pursue them through the formal probate process, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Crucially, a trust would help your executor, or the administrator of your estate, to avoid probate.

From MarketWatch

Payable-on-death avoids probate — a public, cumbersome and time-consuming process — and it simplifies your estate planning when the time comes; more than that, it’s private.

From MarketWatch

The best part about putting their respective inheritances in a trust is that the trust will bypass probate.

From MarketWatch

If you list your daughter on a transfer-on-death or beneficiary deed, it would go to her immediately and thereby means the property would not pass through probate, which can be lengthy, public and time-consuming.

From MarketWatch