The law requires a formal estate proceeding for any decedent who dies owning property titled in their name or whose estate will receive certain benefits because of their death.  Probate is the process of winding up the decedent's estate, including paying just debts and transferring assets to beneficiaries of the estate.  As the attorney for your estate, I will work with your immediate family and your estate's personal representative or executor to carry out the probate process.