What is Probate? A Solicitor’s Explanation
When a person dies someone has to deal with their assets by collecting everything in and paying any outstanding bills before distributing what is left to the people who are entitled, under law, to receive it. Probate is the courts authority to administer the deceased persons estate. The document giving authority is issued upon application by the Probate Registry and is referred to as a Grant of Representation.
The person responsible for administering a deceased persons estate is typically the Executor named in a will or the Administrator if there is no will.
Throughout this website the term grant will be used for all types of grants of representation.