The language of a Will sets out what the testator, or the person who is making the Will, wants to have happen with their assets.  The Will itself though does not do anything to actually make those things happen.

The process of doing what is called “probating the Will” or “probating the estate” invloves the act of getting the Will to be accepted and recognized by the Probate Court, having a person appointed as the executor or personal representative of the estate and that person being given the legal authority to carry out the provisions set out in the Will and to cause those things to happen.