Surrogate Court Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Surrogate Court.

Surrogate Court (noun)

A type of court, particularly in various U.S. states, overseen by a surrogate (a judicial officer). This court manages matters related to the proving of wills and the overall management of estates, including the distribution of assets to an individual's heirs after their death. This court has the legal authority (or jurisdiction) to handle issues associated with probates, which is the official process of proving a will to be genuine and valid.