By Sea Sitka is a year-round port of call for the Alaska Marine Highway System (1-800-642-0066, www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/). These state-operated ferries provide an extraordinary opportunity to navigate the Inside Passage at a leisurely pace.
Spouses in community property states are generally entitled to take all community property at death, and half in the case of divorce. If the husband inherited the property, or took title to it before the marriage, for example, the wife would not automatically be entitled to a share of it.
Size of Estate. Depending on state law, a will may only go to probate if the estate exceeds a specific size. In Virginia, for example, if the estate is worth $50,000 or less and doesn't include real estate, probate may not be necessary. probate judge's work falls into several broad categories: 1  Approving the executor named in the will. 2  Determine the will is legally valid under state law. 3  Appointing an executor if the deceased didn't name anyone. 4  Monitoring the executor's handling of the estate.