What is the legal term for the filling and proving of a will after an individual's death?

The legal term for the filling and proving of a will after an individual's death is probate. Probate refers to the legal process that ensures that a deceased person’s will is recognized by the court and that the decedent's assets are distributed according to their wishes as laid out in the will. This process involves validating the will, appointing an executor or administrator if needed, and settling any debts or taxes owed by the estate before distributing the remaining assets to the beneficiaries.

Understanding probate is crucial in the context of funeral service education, as it impacts the management of an estate and how arrangements might be handled after an individual passes away. The successful navigation of the probate process is essential for ensuring that the deceased's final wishes are honored and can affect various aspects of memorial and burial arrangements.

Other terms, such as void and voidable, relate more to the validity of contracts and legal documents, focusing on the conditions under which they may be considered lacking enforceability. Valid pertains to agreements that are legally acceptable and enforceable but does not specifically address the posthumous legal procedures used in relation to a will. Therefore, probate is the precise term for the context of settling and executing a will after death.