The term probate refers to the manner of administering the property (the estate) of a decedent by a personal representative (PR) (a/k/a the executor) under the jurisdiction of one of the Michigan probate courts.  A PR is appointed by the court if they are named in the decedent’s will or in the absence of a will, an interested person (or person who has an interest of the decedent’s estate) may be appointed.  Probate can determine the validity of a will, and through this process the courts and attorneys have to decide whether the decedent was of sound mind when the will was made. They also have to decide whether the current will (if there is one) is the most up to date one; whether the will was written of free will and with witnesses; whether there is any chance of the will being a forgery; and other issues relating to the validity of the will.