Origin: Latin suffix -ate
Probate has 6 different meanings across 2 categories:
a judicial certificate saying that a will is genuine and conferring on the executors the power to administer the estate
"The judge issued probate of the deceased's will, officially validating its authenticity and granting the executor authority to manage the estate."
the act of proving that an instrument purporting to be a will was signed and executed in accord with legal requirements
"The court held a hearing on probate to verify that the late father's will had been properly signed and witnessed according to state law."
The legal process of verifying the legality of a will.
"The executor must file the deceased person's will with the court to begin the probate process and verify its legality before any assets can be distributed."
In plain English: Probate is the legal process of proving someone's will and distributing their money after they die.
"The probate process for his father's estate took much longer than expected."
Usage: Probate refers specifically to the court-supervised procedure that validates a deceased person's will and distributes their assets. It is distinct from general estate administration, which may occur without a formal will or if no probate proceedings are required by local law.
put a convicted person on probation by suspending his sentence
"The judge decided to probate the defendant's five-year prison term, allowing him to serve it in the community instead."
establish the legal validity of (wills and other documents)
"The judge ordered a formal hearing to probate the disputed will before any assets could be distributed."
To establish the legality of (a will).
"The judge will oversee probate to confirm that the deceased's will is legally valid before distributing assets."
In plain English: To probate something means to officially confirm that someone's will is valid and legally approved by a court after they die.
"The judge will probate the estate to ensure all debts are paid before distributing assets."
The word probate comes from the Latin verb probare, which means "to test" or "examine." It entered English through Middle English to describe the legal process of proving a will's validity.