What is probate?

Probate is a legal process that takes place when an individual has passed away. It is a court-supervised process that is used to validate the decedent’s will, if they had one, and to make sure that the deceased individual’s assets are distributed and managed according to their wishes. In the state of Virginia, the probate process is overseen by the Circuit Court in the locality where the decedent lived at the time of their death. During the probate process, the court will appoint an executor who will have the legal authority to manage the decedent’s assets and ensuring that the decedent’s final wishes are carried out. The executor will also be responsible for presenting a final account of the assets and liabilities of the estate as part of the probate process. This can involve filing taxes, selling assets, and distributing assets to beneficiaries or creditors. The probate process in Virginia generally takes about nine to twelve months to complete, depending on the complexity of the estate.

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