Probate is a court-supervised proceeding for a person who passes away with or with or without a will. Probate can be avoided if the owner of the estate prepares a Living Trust before he or she passes away.
A probate proceeding controls the estate of a person who has died. The Probate Courts designates an executor or administrator to inventory and value assets, search and pay creditors, pay taxes and distribute assets to heirs or beneficiaries.