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 Attorney John Branca and A&R executive John McClain, the co-executors of Jackson's estate, received a favorable ruling last year in probate court. Danielle Bacher, Peoplemag, 23 Mar. 2024 Sources tell Variety this lawsuit should not complicate plans for further release, which were held up for several months before the estate moved out of probate court in 2022. Jem Aswad, Variety, 11 Jan. 2024 His petition, filed in on Monday in Tennessee probate court, alleges he’s been deprived of the rights to his name, image and likeness. Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Aug. 2023 One big reason that a trust is necessary — as opposed to just leaving your pet to someone in your will — is that a will can take years to wind its way through probate court. Jaime Stathis, Washington Post, 5 Dec. 2023 The Orphans’ Court is Maryland’s probate court, dealing with the administration of estates and with property disputes. Anna Deavere Smith, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2023 The publicity of probate court may deter some, but Esquibias raises an interesting point about how celebrities may feel about their estate planning. Alex Ross, Peoplemag, 10 Nov. 2023 Natalee was declared legally dead in January 2012 In September 2011, Natalee’s father, Dave Holloway, filed a petition in Alabama probate court requesting that Natalee be declared legally dead. Lynsey Eidell, Peoplemag, 18 Oct. 2023 The Judge Rotenberg Educational Center can continue to use electric shock therapy on patients with developmental and intellectual disabilities, but state agencies can challenge the practice on a case-by-case basis in probate court, the Supreme Judicial Court ruled Thursday. John R. Ellement, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'probate court.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1726, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of probate court was in 1726

Dictionary Entries Near probate court

Cite this Entry

“Probate court.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/probate%20court. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!