Probate

prō′bāt, n. the proof before a competent court that a written paper purporting to be the will of a person who has died is indeed his lawful act: the official copy of a will, with the certificate of its having been proved: the right or jurisdiction of proving wills.— adj. relating to the establishment of wills and testaments.— Probate court , a court created in 1858 to exercise jurisdiction in matters touching the succe ion to personal estate; Probate duty , a tax on property pa ing by will. [Cf. Probable. ]