My mother passed about 3 weeks ago. She was widowed, and my brother and I are her only heirs.
There is a good amount of credit card debt: ~14k
There are also a good amount of assets to the estate, which include about 225k in retirement funds, and 250k in real estate.
There is little cash to settle the debts, and I have a strong desire to keep the homes, and touch little of the retirement.
I am already dealing with West Asset Management and DCM Services. I have told them she died without a will, provided the file number for her estate at the clerks office.