That's real close, but there are ocassional exceptions. For instance, the estate of an incompetent is probated during his or her lifetime. A probate case is a gold mine for a genealogist. You will find orders authorizing sales of land, affidavits of heirship, etc. Each one is different and can disclose all sorts of things about a family. Happy hunting, Susan ----- Original Message ----- From: Betty Faye Lawton <bfaye@worldpath.net> To: <ROWANROOTS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, February 21, 2000 6:48 PM Subject: Re: [RowanRoots] Question about wills > Donna, > > The definition of "probate" is roughly to prove before a court that the > last will and testament of a DECEASED person is the genuine article..so > they have to be dead before any will is probated.... > and > about the pounds to dollars, you would have to know an exchange rate for in > the 1700's and I have no idea, perhaps someone else in the List is better > versed on that than I am! :-) > > > > > >Hey everyone, > >I have a question that I need answered please. When you have a will that > >is probated in court, is the person still alive when a will is probated > >or have they most likely already died? > >Thanks, Donna > > > >