inherited estate

I'm sorry for your family loss.  In almost every case when a person dies having personal property or real estate, an estate should be administered.  When an individual dies, it is often necessary to follow formal procedures in settling the estate. This process is called estate administration.  A personal representative (another name is an executor) is the individual charged with administration of an estate.  The estate administration must be filed with the Philadelphia Register of Wills.  Your mother's will may state who, in your sister's absence, will serve as executor.  If so, that person must be appointed by the Register.  If no person is identified, then you and your siblings have equal right to be appointed.  If you want to be the one, your siblings must "renounce" their rights to serve by signing a form to that effect.   Personal Representatives have serious obligations.  They must open the estate, notify all potential beneficiaries of the estate administration, collect and protect estate assets, pay the debts, expenses and taxes associated with the estate, file an inheritance tax return, follow state and local rules regarding the administration process and then distribute the assets to the beneficiaries according to the will or state law.  There are costs and expenses that must be paid to administer an estate as well.  It's a lot to do and most cannot do it without the assistance of an attorney.  My law firm handles estate administration in Philadelphia.  If you are interested in retaining my law firm for that assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.