Probate Court
What Does Probate Court Mean?
Probate court is a division of the legal system primarily responsible for handling wills and the estates of deceased individuals. It also oversees the distribution of life insurance death benefits if the named beneficiary is deceased or if the policyholder did not designate a beneficiary.
Insuranceopedia Explains Probate Court
The probate court ensures the proper distribution of the deceased’s wealth and property, both to beneficiaries and through estate tax payments.
Typically, the death benefit from an insurance policy does not go through probate, as the insurance company automatically sends the payment to the designated beneficiary. However, if complications or uncertainties arise regarding the beneficiary, the insurance company will deposit the money with the probate court, which will then decide whom to award it to.
