The easiest way to understand this is to first understand what non-probate assets are.  These are assets that are transferred automatically when someone dies, under a contract, or beneficiary provision.  Because they transfer automatically, there is no need for an executor to "probate" them or transfer them through the courts.  Some examples would be life insurance policies or retirement accounts that have named beneficiaries, joint banking accounts, assets that are held in trust, and real estate or other property that is “transfer on death” property.  In contrast, "probate assets" are those assets that do NOT transfer automatically and must be "probated" through the Court.