What to do if my mother past away without a Will?
Question Details: She owned 2 houses but no other assets. How do I get everything started to settle her estate if I am out of state?
If your mother did not have a will, then the statute of descent and distribution apply, which basically say that when a person dies without a spouse, all assets are divided between the children. It will be necessary to process an estate proceeding in the probate court of the county of her residence in order to have the houses transfer to the name of the beneficiaries.
For a sense of what is involved in administering an estate in most states, please see the following two articles: Estate & Probate Administration: Do Not Try This On Your Own at http://www.sjfpc.com/page1.html and Pennsylvania Probate & Estate Administration: Executor Duties at http://www.sjfpc.com/pennsylvania_probate_estate__administration_duties_of_executor_and_administrator.html
The first step is to establish the heirs. A case should be filed to have a Court determine who your mother's heirs are. Then an administrator needs to be appointed to divide the property. You should talk with an attorney to help you through this process.
