"Probate is the judicial process whereby a will is "proved" in a court of law and accepted as a valid public document that is the true last testament of the deceased, or whereby the estate is settled according to the laws of intestacy in the state of residence of the deceased at time of death in the absence of a legal will.

The granting of probate is the first step in the legal process of administering the estate of a deceased person, resolving all claims and distributing the deceased person's property under a will. A probate court decides the legal validity of a testator's (deceased person's) will and grants its approval, also known as granting probate, to the executor. The probated will then becomes a legal instrument that may be enforced by the executor in the law courts if necessary. A probate also officially appoints the executor (or personal representative), generally named in the will, as having legal power to dispose of the testator's assets in the manner specified in the testator's will. However, through the probate process, a will may be contested."

                  (from Wikipedia)

Provided below are booklets of probate process in different states. Each state has its own law and process. These booklets are included merely for general educational purposes.  The number of pages of each booklet is indicated so readers can select the appropriate booklet(s) to read.

 Glossary of common probate terms for California probate (17 pages):

 Glossary of Common Probate Terms

District of Columbia (15 pages)

After Death - A Guide To Probate In The District Of Columbia

 Bergen County New Jersey (56 pages)

How to Probate a Last Will & Testament 

Tennessee (120 pages)

A Guide for Clerks Serving Courts with Probate Jurisdiction