What is Probate?

Answer

A legal proceeding whereby a judge determines whether a Will is valid and how an estate will be distributed. During Probate, your assets may be frozen and your partner may not have access to your financial accounts or rights to live in your home.  The process may be very costly and time consuming which is why it is so important to have a Trust and a Will that are drafted to avoid the probate process.  See the Estate Planning Workbook for more info about probate.