What is the role of a beneficiary in a probate estate?

The role of a beneficiary in a probate estate is primarily to receive assets according to the terms of the will or the laws of intestacy if there is no will. Beneficiaries are designated individuals or entities that are entitled to inherit property, money, or other assets from the deceased person's estate. This transfer occurs after the estate has gone through the probate process, which includes settling debts, distributing property, and resolving any claims against the estate.

Beneficiaries do not have responsibilities like paying debts or managing the estate; these tasks typically fall to the executor or personal representative who is appointed to handle the probate process. While beneficiaries may have an interest in the estate's management, their primary function is to benefit from the estate's distribution. Thus, the categorization of a beneficiary as the recipient of assets is fundamental in understanding their role in the probate process.