Probate

Probate means that there is a court case that deals with:

• Deciding if a will exists and is valid;
• Figuring out who are the decedent’s heirs or beneficiaries;
• Figuring out how much the decedent’s property is worth;
• Taking care of the decedent’s financial responsibilities; and
• Transferring the decedent’s property to the heirs or beneficiaries.

In a probate case, an executor (if there is a will) or an administrator (if there is no will) is appointed by the court as personal representative to collect the assets, pay the debts and expenses, and then distribute the remainder of the estate to the beneficiaries (those who have the legal right to inherit), all under the supervision of the court. The entire case can take between 9 months to 1 ½ years, maybe even longer.

Filing Fee for a Petition for Probate

For information about the filing fee, download a printable civil filing and appearance fees list.

Get Certified Copies of the Documents You Need

How much will it cost for me to get certified copies of the documents I will need to conduct the business of the estate?

Download a printable civil filing and appearance fees list