Which of the following is a consequence of probate?

Probate involves the legal process of administering a deceased person's estate, which includes validating their will (if one exists), identifying and inventorying the deceased's assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining assets to heirs or beneficiaries. One of the primary functions of probate is to determine the ownership interests in the estate, which involves clarifying who is entitled to what share of the estate based on the will and applicable laws.

This process is necessary to ensure that all claims against the estate are resolved and that the division of assets is conducted fairly according to legal standards. By defining the ownership interests, the probate court helps prevent future disputes among heirs or creditors about the allocation of the decedent’s property.

The other options describe outcomes that do not align with the probate process. For instance, assets do not automatically transfer to heirs until the probate process concludes, debts are generally settled prior to asset distribution, and there is no automatic sale of property just for funeral costs.