New Delhi, Aug. 6 -- Writing a will is an important step in estate planning, but it is not always the final one. After a person's death, legal heirs may still have to complete several legal formalities before property, bank accounts, shares or mutual fund investments can be transferred in their names. One of the most commonly misunderstood terms in this process is probate which is a court-issued certificate that validates a will.

Although probate is no longer mandatory in India following a legal change in 2025, experts say it can still play an important role in ensuring a smooth transfer of assets and reducing the scope for disputes.

Probate is a legal process through which a civil court verifies the authenticity of a will and authorise...