Which term denotes the court-supervised process that validates a will and distributes assets?

• A. Intestacy
• B. Probate
• C. Testation
• D. Administration

Answer: (B)

Probate is the court-supervised process that validates a will and distributes assets. It begins when the will is filed with the probate court, which then determines its validity, appoints an executor or personal representative, inventories assets, pays debts and taxes, and finally distributes the remaining property to beneficiaries as specified in the will. If there is no valid will, the estate goes through intestacy, with the court appointing an administrator to handle distribution under state law. The term testation refers to the act of making a will rather than the distribution process, and administration is the broader process of managing an estate under court supervision, often used when there is no will. Therefore, probate best describes the described court-supervised validation and distribution.