Probate is the legal process by which a person's net assets are distributed after death. The laws vary by state, but generally the estate of anyone with significant assets would be required to go through probate in order to ensure the assets are distributed properly.
I'm not sure what you mean by "probate listing", but if the decedent had a will, then it would indicate one or more executors, as well as who was to receive what from the estate (the "legatees"). The will would be submitted to the court, which would approve the executor and ultimately the distribution of assets.
If the decedent didn't have a will, then someone would have to petition the court to be named administrator of the estate, and the assets would be distributed according to what the law specifies.
In either case, the executor or administrator has to provide the court with an accounting of the decedent's assets and debts before the final distribution is approved.
Steve