What action should the clerk take when a petition is filed to begin probate?

• A. Ensure the filing fee is collected, the petition is filed, and notices are prepared.
• B. Immediately grant the petition without review.
• C. Leave the file unopened for a year.
• D. Notify only the attorney general.

Answer: (A)

When a petition to begin probate is filed, the clerk’s first job is to move the case into proper motion with the basic intake steps. This means making sure the filing fee is collected, the petition is filed into the docket, and the notices required by law are prepared for all interested parties. These actions kick off the probate process, ensure the court can exercise jurisdiction, and give heirs or beneficiaries—who have an interest in the estate—proper notice before any further steps are taken. Granting the petition immediately skips the necessary review, delaying or skipping notices would violate due process, and notifying only the Attorney General neglects other parties with a rightful interest.