Inheritance Advances: Laws, Timelines & Common Challenges Explained The Probate Process and Why It Takes Time Probate is the court-supervised process of validating a will, identifying heirs, settling debts, and distributing assets. While necessary for many estates, it can be a time-consuming process. Even straightforward cases may take six months or more, while complicated estates—those involving real estate, disputes, or large asset portfolios—can extend beyond two years. https://rockpointprobate.com/blog/inheritance-advances-laws-timelines-common-challenges-explained/