probate court
Will validation venue
A probate court is a court that handles matters related to wills, estates, and the distribution of a deceased person's property.
It validates wills, appoints executors, oversees asset distribution to heirs, and resolves disputes among beneficiaries.
In some jurisdictions, probate courts also handle guardianships and conservatorships for incapacitated persons.
Appointed estate manager
- beneficiaryDesignated asset receiver
- decedentLegal term for deceased
- intestateHaving made no will
- testateHaving left a will
letters testamentary · estate taxes · death certificate · inventory · appraisal · final accounting · domicile · personal representative
Protected person; division
- conservatorshipCourt-appointed care management
- legal guardianCourt-appointed child protector
- incapacitatedMade unable to act
- wardshipLegal custody arrangement
One who receives legacy
- beneficiaryDesignated asset receiver
- successionFollowing in order
- bequestGift left by will
- heirloomInherited family treasure
primogeniture · per stirpes · per capita · predecease · disclaimer · lapse · adopted heir
Written proof or legacy
- testatorOne who makes bequests
- codicilWill modification document
- bequeathTransfer by will
- deviseCreate through ingenuity
legacy · attestation · witness · notarize · revocation · amendment · undue influence · pour-over will
Legal authority's scope
- courtroomJudicial proceedings chamber
- docketCourt's case schedule
- hearingPerceiving sound waves
- petitionFormal written appeal
adjudication · ruling · filing · case number · motion · appearance · legal representation · appeal
executor
Appointed estate manager
- beneficiaryDesignated asset receiver
- decedentLegal term for deceased
- intestateHaving made no will
testate · letters testamentary · estate taxes · death certificate · inventory · appraisal · final accounting · domicile · personal representative · fiduciary duty
ward
Protected person; division
- conservatorshipCourt-appointed care management
- legal guardianCourt-appointed child protector
- incapacitatedMade unable to act
heir
One who receives legacy
- beneficiaryDesignated asset receiver
- successionFollowing in order
- bequestGift left by will
heirloom · primogeniture · per stirpes · per capita · predecease · disclaimer · lapse · adopted heir
testament
Written proof or legacy
devise · legacy · attestation · witness · notarize · revocation · amendment · undue influence · pour-over will · disinheritance
jurisdiction
Legal authority's scope
petition · adjudication · ruling · filing · case number · motion · appearance · legal representation · appeal · testimony
- legal systemattorney, landmark cases, criminal cases, lawyers, legal precedents
- courtsmagistrates, tribunals
- county governmentcounty clerk, county commissioner, county council, county executive, county board
- court recordscase files, case file, sworn testimony, filing date, trial transcript
- court systemsmall claims
- court termsjudge, judges, trial, trials, jury
probate courtcriminal court
Forum for prosecuting offenses
family court · juvenile court · traffic court · tax court · bankruptcy court
probate courtcriminal court
Forum for prosecuting offenses
criminal proceedings · grand jury · sentencing hearing · criminal trial · prosecution
court, courts, courting, courthouse, probation, reprobate, probationer, probate, probationary