Your aunt has just died. She has named you as estate trustee (or executor) of her estate. She has what you would consider to be a modest estate, and you and several other nieces and nephews are the beneficiaries.

You have just been to see the estate lawyer. She has told you that the will has to be probated. What does that mean? Why do you have to go through the time and expense of doing this?

Lawyers do not decide that a will has to be probated. The procedure is required because banks, trust companies and other financial institutions need to protect themselves.

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