Probate in PA – What Does it Mean?November 16, 2012
A very common question people ask of estate attorneys is, what is probate in PA and is it necessary to probate my family member’s will?
What is Probate?
Probate simply means the legal process involved in handling an estate after someone passes away. During probate it is necessary any claims against the estate be resolved, and also, that the assets remaining be properly distributed. Normally, most wills establish someone, often a family member, as executor of the estate. Normally, that family member will then retain an attorney to assist the executor through the process.
As to whether it is necessary to probate a family member’s will, that is a question best left up to each individual situation. More often than not, the answer is yes, the will needs to be probated.
