Do you need probate if there is a will?

In most cases, probate is required even if there is a will. Probate is the legal process that gives your executor the authority to manage and distribute your estate according to your wishes. However, probate may not be necessary if your estate is very small, jointly owned with a surviving spouse, or consists mainly of assets that pass automatically to a named beneficiary, such as life insurance policies. Each financial institution has its own probate threshold, so it’s best to check directly.