probate

Everyday

1. (law) Probate is the official legal process that checks that a dead person's will is real, so that their money and belongings can be shared out as the will says. tree →
2. (USA, law) To probate a will is to prove it in court. tree →

In the lessons

This is an adult, legal word children meet when a grandparent dies and the family talks about the will. A probate court or office deals with it, and it can take months. Phrases: «grant of probate», «go through probate», «probate court».

Examples

• After Grandad died, Mum had to deal with probate. tree →
• The house cannot be sold until probate is finished. tree →
• The lawyer applied for probate of the will. tree →
• Probate can take many months. tree →
• The probate court checked that the will was real. tree →
• Aunt Jo explained probate to me at the kitchen table. tree →
• Without probate, the bank will not hand over the money. tree →

Note

Uncountable in British use. Formal and legal. Related: will, executor (the person who carries out the will), inheritance. Do not confuse with «probation» (a time of being tested or watched, e.g. after a crime).