There are many legal issues that need to be reviewed when someone dies. An estate shall be established, which becomes its own legal personality and consists of the assets and liabilities of the deceased. The compilation of the deceased's assets and liabilities is called probate. Probate is a collective name for the preparation of probate, the implementation of estate administration, the establishment of succession and the liquidation of the estate.

This investigation usually begins through a probate and ends with a succession. In between, the estate will be managed, investigated and wound up. Which means that debts should be paid, receivables should be collected and housing should be taken care of. Any assets must be sold such as condominiums, real estate and securities, subscriptions must be terminated or transferred. One should also take into account whether a testament exists.

Once this is done and the partners agree, the inheritance shall be divided. An inheritance agreement must be drawn up, inheritance lots paid out and the estate must be declared before it can finally be wound up. The person responsible for the estate investigation has legal responsibility towards the partners in the estate and the creditors.