What do you mean by transfer of property, is it transfer to his own or transfer by sale to a third party? In which place are you? In India in some places particularly in metropolitan cities a Will needs to be probated. When the will is being probated, the Magistrate may give public notice asking for objections, if any. If no valid objections are received the probate will be granted. Granting probate means issuing authenticating document in the name of the successor or successors. In some States there is stamp duty for the issue of probate. In places where no probate is required there is no formal transfer document. The question of ownership will come only when one wants to transfer the property by sale or otherwise. The purchaser may insist on the authenticity of ownership to protect himself from counter claims.