In its simplest terms, probate is the validating of a will, writes Brian Hor, special counsel and superannuation and estate planning expert at SUPERCentral.

Probate is needed to determine that an individual’s will is actually the valid and last will of the person in question.

According to Mr Hor, without probate, institutions such as banks, share registries and the like cannot be satisfied as to who has the correct authority to receive a deceased person’s assets and may therefore refuse to pay out.

“Obtaining a Grant of Probate is generally necessary if the deceased held assets in their name only or jointly with other parties as tenants in common,” he outlined, with many third parties holding or controlling estate assets requiring a copy of the probate document prior to releasing certain assets or payments.

These may include payments such as bank deposits, insurance payouts, or aged care accommodation bonds.

Every estate is likely to go through the process of a Grant of Probate – it requires the Supreme Court in each state to be provided with information about the assets and liabilities of an estate, the deceased person, the witnesses to the will, the executors, as well as the will itself.

But there are several exceptions.

Mr Hor said, “Sometimes, for smaller estates or if assets are mostly jointly owned with a surviving spouse, asset holders might agree to release payment without requiring a Grant of Probate.”

This is usually on the basis that the person receiving the payment promises to repay or indemnify the asset holder if it turns out the wrong person was paid.

Probate is also not able to be granted in instances where there is no will – in this circumstance, Mr Hor said Letters of Administration are obtained.

“This is effectively the same, in terms of authorising someone to administer the estate, and would usually be obtained by the person who is the closest next of kin to the deceased,” the expert indicated.