The court that handles matters concerning wills estates, such as the distribution of property or money to those named in a will. In California, the Probate Court also handles guardianships and conservatorships.
The probate court’s role is to ensure that a deceased person’s debts are paid and that assets are distributed to the appropriate recipients. The term “probate” refers to the legal process by which the assets and liabilities of a recently deceased individual are managed. Probate is complex in that it encompasses the entire legal procedure of dealing with a deceased person’s assets and debts, the court that oversees the process, and the actual distribution of assets.
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