ELI5: What is probate?

Probate is like a court process to officially settle someone's stuff after they die.

Imagine your grandpa had a big toy collection (his estate), but he passed away. Probate is like the grown-ups figuring out who gets which toy, making sure everyone who is supposed to get something does.

Here's how it works:

• First, someone (usually a family member named in the will) goes to court and asks to be in charge. This person is called the executor (if there's a will) or administrator (if there's no will).
• The court checks if the will is real and valid. A will is like a written note where your grandpa said who should get which toy. If there's no will, the court follows the law to decide who gets what.
• The executor/administrator lists everything your grandpa owned (his toys, his car, his house, his money – everything!) and figures out how much it's all worth.
• Then, they pay off any debts your grandpa owed, like bills or loans. Imagine he borrowed money to buy a really cool robot toy; that loan needs to be paid back first.
• Finally, after all the debts are paid, the executor/administrator gives the remaining toys (assets) to the people your grandpa wanted to have them (the beneficiaries) according to the will, or according to the law if there's no will.