What is probate, and what is a paralegal's typical role in probate administration?

• A. Probate administers an estate after death; tasks include filing, notices, inventory, and final distribution assistance.
• B. Probate is a criminal procedure; paralegals file motions in court.
• C. Probate involves patent filings; paralegals manage the renewal process.
• D. Probate is tax preparation for individuals; paralegals prepare returns.

Answer: (A)

Probate is the legal process that administers a deceased person’s estate through the court system, guiding tasks like validating a will (if there is one), appointing a personal representative, gathering assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing remaining assets to beneficiaries. A paralegal in probate typically supports this process by preparing and filing court documents, sending notices to heirs and creditors, compiling and updating the inventory of assets, tracking deadlines, and assisting with the final accounting and distributions under an attorney’s supervision. This aligns with the duties described—filing with the court, issuing notices, creating the asset inventory, and aiding final distribution. The other options don’t fit probate work, as probate is not a criminal procedure, patent filings, or general tax preparation.