What is probate?

Estate PlanningWarren TeamPublished April 25, 2026

Quick answer

Probate is the court-supervised process of authenticating a will, paying debts, and distributing assets after someone dies. Takes 6-18 months on average, costs 3-7% of estate value, and is public record.

Probate process timeline and costs.

The information provided is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. Warren is a registered investment advisor. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Please consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Read our disclaimers.

All questions

Get an answer built on your own numbers

Warren reads your accounts, then answers questions like this one with your real income, taxes and goals in mind.

Try Warren Free See a demo