Wills and Estates

I lived with my companion for 5 years. When he died he had left his life insurance to me. He was not divorced from his wife and now the wife has the insurance frozen and her attorney says that she will be the one to receive the insurance because of something having to do with her assets. I do not understand this fully and need advice.

My parents live in Texas and have a will stating that all property is to be divided equally among their birth sons and daughters. My brother, his spouse and adopted, autistic, 10 yr old son have lived in my parents house for 10 yrs or more. My brother pays half of the electric bill, does odd jobs around the house and yard. In the event of my parents death, does my brother or his spouse have legal ways of keeping us from liquidating the house?

I was told at a Financial Planning Seminar that I could include a certain statement in my Last Will and Testament that would avoid my estate from going through probate court. What is that statement?

My stepfather passed away. He had six Kids [three are his, from another marriage, three are my moms from another marriage]I have read it two ways: My mother gets half of joint property, mother gets her half and half of half. Can you clarify?

I was named as an heir in my ex-wife's mother's will, but have not received any official notices or copies of the will. How can I go about obtaining a copy and making sure that all is handled properly?