Wills and Estates

My mother died in 2008, She owned a Chas Schwab stock portfolio which is worth approximately $52,000. My brother and I would like to use a Small Estate Affidavit to have this property released to us. Chas Schwab headquarters is located in California, I live in Idaho where my mother died, my brother lives in Texas. Can I have the affidavit notarized in Idaho? Does my brother have to sign jointly if we want the stock portfolio in both our names? Or do we abide by state law in California or Texas?

I have 2 life insurance policies. One is a personal policy with a death benefit of approximately $160,000. The second is a policy where I work that carries a death benefit of approximately $200,000. Currently my wife is the beneficiary on both policies. We have a will and I have stated that I want one third of my estate to go to my adult step-son. My question is this: Are life insurance benefits considered part of a decedent's estate, i.e., if I died today would the one-third of my estate going to my step-son include one-third of those life insurance benefits?

My mother died 5 years ago without a will; therefore, her home (paid for)is equally owned by myself and 9 siblings. I was appointed Independent Administrator of the estate (the house) by the court. I now wish to give up all claims to the home and property it sits on. What do I have to do to give my interest to the others and also cease my administratorship?

My husband left me years ago after I ran out of money. Of the 16 years we have been married we had only lived together for 3 years. He owns nothing. I do not want my husband or my daughter to have any of my assets once I am dead. Both my husband and my daughter have taken almost everything I have ever owned. I want to give my home to my church. My husband gives me an allowance - does this give him the right to take my home when I am gone? I really want to give this place to my church. I need to have my will written up soon as I am not in good health. My husband lives in another town over 350 miles away. We have no children or any accounts together. I still owe some money on my home. I can't pay it off before I die or I would put it in a trust.

My brother committed suicide and left behind debts, as well as major medical bills resulting from him suicide. He was not married nor did he have children and was not under an appointed guardianship. He resided with my mother, only because he had foreclosed on his home, did not have a car, bank account, or other assets which would create an estate. Is the family now responsible for his past debts, to include the medical bills resulting from his suicide (their attempts at saving him).