Probate court is the office where all probate issues are handled. The probate court handles all matters of probate, right from admitting the petition for probate until issuing the order for transfer of property to heirs and beneficiaries.

In most states probate courts function exclusively. [In some states such as Massachusetts, Probate and Family Courts function as one unit with two compartments; Probate and Family Courts take up additional issues such as birth and death, marriage, domestic violence, child abuse, adoption, separation and divorce, maintenance etc].

A typical probate court has a presiding Judge, a supervisor and a few clerical employees.

Let us have a look at the main functions of the probate court.

The court receives the "Petition for letters of administration" if there is no will, and "Petition for Probate of Will and Letters Testamentary" otherwise. These and the death certificate are submitted along with the prescribed fee. Probate court cases can be filed with or without an attorney.

Then the Judge conducts probate hearings, and issues ""letters of administration"" [or