About Probate
Probate is a court supervised process that verifies the will, settles any debt, and distributes what’s left to the beneficiary. When someone passes, their estate usually must go through probate before transferring to the people named in the will. If there is a written will, the court checks to ensure that it is valid, and then makes sure the directions in the will are carried out.
Updated: August 2026
The probate process involves several key steps to ensure the deceased's estate is properly handled. This includes:
- Determine if a will exists and is valid
- Determine the heirs and beneficiaries
- Establish a value of the deceased person's property and assets
- Take care of any outstanding financial responsibilities the deceased person had (settle debts)
- Inheritance funding: Transfer the assets and property to the heirs and beneficiaries
Types of Probate
The probate process can either be “formal,” requiring hearings in court, or “informal,” an administrative process that does not involve the court. Informal probate is also known as intestacy, which occurs when a person dies without a valid will. Either way, probate can be a very lengthy process taking an average of 17 months in the the United States to complete with some cases going on for several years. InheritNOW’s services are designed to help beneficiaries navigate these complexities and access funds faster regardless of probate type. Using InheritNOW, many beneficiaries choose to get an inheritance advance (sometimes called probate advance) to receive their inheritance sooner. Whether it’s for bills, housing, funeral costs, or otherwise, we help you get the money you need within 24 hours of approval. It is not a loan and does not need to be paid back by the recipient; instead, it is repaid directly from the estate at the end of probate.
