probate court

noun

: a court that has jurisdiction chiefly over the probate of wills and administration of deceased persons' estates

Examples of probate court in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If the council approves the settlement, the agreement remains subject to approval by a probate court before becoming final. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Aug. 2026

Families may spend months – or years – embroiled in probate court, with wealth tied up and inaccessible. — Medora Lee, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026

For clients who want to preserve family harmony, Braxton often advises the property owner to consult with an estate planning attorney to create appropriate documents, such as a will and/or a trust, to avoid the public probate court process. — Sharon Epperson,stephanie Dhue, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026

All of this takes place in probate court, which is where estates are administered. — Naomi Cahn, The Conversation, 29 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1726, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for probate court

• abort
• airport
• alport
• athwart
• carport
• comport
• consort
• deport
• disport
• distort
• escort
• exhort

Kids Definition

probate court

noun

: a court that probates wills and administers estates of deceased persons

Legal Definition

probate court

noun

: a court that has jurisdiction over the probate of wills and administration of estates and sometimes over the affairs of minors and persons adjudged incompetent compare orphans' court