Probate is the process where the probate judge decides who inherits what assets or liabilities that the deceased person owned. Probate is greatly helped if there was a will or a living trust that then dictates to the judge what assets get allocated to whom. If there is no will, probate may take quite a few months or perhaps years depending on how complicated the estate is. As for the house and your living in it, that is unknown. It would be wise to consult a probate attorney as to which way to proceed. - Thu Nov 12 2009, 08:40