The steps of going through probate include the following:
- File the will with the probate court
- Send notice of the filing of the will to all persons listed in the will and those who would inherit if there was no will or the will was invalid
- Have the executor (or administrator when there no will) appointed. Once appointed, the Probate Court issues a court order called “Letters of Authority”
- Appraise and value the assets
- File an inventory listing the assets in the probate estate
- Send notice of the filing of the inventory to the heirs
- Have a hearing if any beneficiaries object to the inventory
- Sell assets as needed to pay debts
- Resolve will contests, if any
- Resolve creditor claims, if any
- File estate tax returns
- Transfer and distribute assets to the heirs
- File a final account showing all distributions from the estate