Reliable Cincinnati Attorneys Office: Barron Peck Bennie & Schlemmer, Co. LPA Barron Peck Bennie & Schlemmer, Cincinnati Attorneys to Meet Your Legal Needs. Our Probate Process The term “probate” refers to the process of transferring assets from a deceased person to their heirs (probate assets). If the deceased left a will, the person they nominated as executor (in their will) will oversee the process. If the deceased didn’t leave a will, the court will appoint an administrator to carry out the process. The term “probate” can also refer to the authority issued to the executor/administrator in the will or by the court. This authority allows managing and administering the probate assets of the deceased. During probate, the probate administrator must identify any living relatives and any relatives who passed away before the deceased. The probate administrator must administer the probate assets in compliance with the state’s probate laws. There is no time frame that defines how long probate can take. Probate ends when the probate administrator has identified all probate assets, paid the decedent’s debts and taxes, and paid the costs of probate administration. The court gives an Executor (or Administrator, if there's no will) the legal authority to manage and administer probate assets of the deceased.
