What type of estate requires probate court intervention?

The correct answer indicates that estates with contested wills require probate court intervention. A contested will refers to a situation in which the validity of a will is challenged, often leading to disputes among potential heirs or beneficiaries. In these cases, probate court becomes necessary to oversee the resolution of the contest, ensuring that the will is honored or identifying how the estate will be distributed if the will is found to be invalid.

Probate court's involvement provides a formal legal process to address these disputes, ascertain facts, and make determinations regarding the validity of the will. The court aims to ensure that the decedent's intentions, as reflected in the will (or, if contested, determine appropriate distribution without a valid will), are carried out fairly and justly.

While testate estates—where there is a valid will—and intestate estates—where there is no will—typically follow processes that may or may not require court intervention, it is in contested situations that the court's role becomes crucial. Therefore, this answer accurately reflects the circumstances under which probate court is necessary.