The legal process of gathering and distributing assets to beneficiaries mentioned in a deceased person’s will, and the paying of any final debts and taxes.
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
probate (noun)1.
a) the action or process of proving before a competent judicial authority that a document offered for official recognition and registration as the last will and testament of a deceased person is genuine
b) the judicial determination of the validity of a will
2.
the officially authenticated copy of a will - probated
transitive verb
1.
to establish (a will) by probate as genuine and valid
2.
to put (a convicted offender) on - probation