The probate of a will is the proof before the proper court or officer that the instrument offered to be proved or recorded is the last will and testament of the deceased person whose testamentary act it is alleged to be. This includes not only the evidence, jurisdictional and otherwise, presented to the court, but also the judicial determination by the court on that evidence that the instrument is what it purports to be.1

The method of procedure, and the necessary steps in a probate procedure, are regulated in each State by statute.2