Final answer:
Probate is the official court process to determine the validity of a will, the existence of assets, and to distribute assets and settle debts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The official court process to determine whether a will is valid, whether assets exist, and to dispose of assets and debts is called probate. Probate is the legal process through which a deceased person's assets are distributed to their beneficiaries and any debts are settled. It involves filing the will with the court, notifying creditors, and transferring assets according to the deceased person's wishes or state laws if there is no will.