High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Probate is the legal process of administering the estate of a deceased person by resolving all claims and distributing the deceased person`s property under the valid will. A probate court (surrogate court) decides the validity of a testator`s will. A probate interprets the instructions of the deceased, decides the executor as the personal representative of the estate, and adjudicates the interests of heirs and other parties who may have claims against the estate.