What is the legal process of establishing the validity of a will called?

The legal process of establishing the validity of a will is known as probate. During probate, a court examines the will to ensure it meets all legal requirements, such as being properly signed and witnessed, and to determine whether it reflects the true intentions of the deceased. The process also involves settling debts and distributing the remaining assets according to the terms of the will. This ensures that the assets are legally handled and that beneficiaries receive their rightful inheritance, thereby providing a clear structure to the distribution process consistent with the deceased's wishes.

In contrast, execution refers to the act of signing the will and having it properly witnessed; validation generally relates to confirming that something is authentic or permissible under the law but does not specifically describe the judicial process pertaining to wills; and authenticity pertains to the genuineness of a document but does not encompass the entire legal procedure involved in approving a will.