{"id":287066,"date":"2017-08-13T18:27:00","date_gmt":"2017-08-13T23:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/estate\/probate\/when-do-you-have-to-go-through-probate.html"},"modified":"2025-07-24T13:48:00","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T18:48:00","slug":"when-do-you-have-to-go-through-probate","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/when-do-you-have-to-go-through-probate.html","title":{"rendered":"When Do You Have to Go Through Probate?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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When Do You Have to Go Through Probate?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Leslie Mackenzie<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Aisha Success, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Probate is necessary when a person dies with assets that need legal transfer to heirs, especially if there’s a last will and testament.\u00a0If there\u2019s no will, known as intestacy, probate identifies heirs according to state laws.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Some people develop an estate plan to avoid their estate going through the formal probate process. Many seek to bypass probate for several reasons, including the following:<\/p>\n