Probate is the most common form of administration after death. Probate is the court-supervised procedure for settling the decedent’s liabilities, determining who is entitled to the decedent’s property, and making the transfers.Probate requires the appointment of a personal representative (referred to as the executor in some states). If the decedent dies with a Will, the personal representative ultimately appointed is usually the first nominee named in the decedent’s Will. If the decedent dies without a Will, the personal representative is usually the decedent’s spouse, child, or close relative.