Probate is a process which is necessary to pass title from the deceased to successors.
It is generally necessary when a decedent dies owning property in his or her name alone. A will allows you to direct that your property to whom you wish, but a will must be admitted through the probate process. A power of attorney is only effective until you die. It can give you flexibility in times of absence or disability, but the holder has no authority after your death and a personal representative would need to be appointment through the probate process to wrap up a decedent estate.