Estate taxes are what need to be paid. The executor of the estate, or their legal advisor, should have a good handle on the process. If the value of the estate is less then about 1.2 million, there may be no taxes due, but you still need to file.
She is interfering with the distribution of the estate. She can be sued.
If the exact wording is "to my surving children", then all other children who predeceased the testator or out.
Yes, children have priority over the mother of the deceased. They are the descendants it get priorty second only to a surviving spouse. Even without a will the spouse will come first, then children. Parents are next, then siblings.
It will depend on who the survivors are. A spouse has rights as well as the children, even without a will.
No - the surviving spouse is not liable for the deceased person's bills !
Next of kin, if you are not familiar with the term, just means the closest relative. If there is a surviving spouse, that is the next of kin. If there is no surviving spouse, then surviving children or surviving parents, failing that, a surviving sibling, then we go to aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
The estate is responsible for paying off the bills of the deceased, first and foremost. Surviving children should not have access to the funds until the estate is settled. If the children are minors, the court will appoint a guardian and will usually advance living expenses to insure they aren't without money and a place to live.
Generally, when a person dies intestate their property descends to their spouse and children. However, in certain states the surviving spouse inherits all the property. In the states where the surviving spouse AND children inherit, the children of any deceased child would take their parent's share. You can check the laws of your state at the related question link provided below.
It will depend on whether there are children or not. In most cases the estate is split between any children of the deceased and the spouse.
It depends on the legislation of the country. Normally the spouse and children take precedence. An under age child of the deceased would take precedence over the mother of the deceased.
If the person was still legally married to the deceased he or she is still considered a "surviving spouse". However, the extent to which claims are made upon the estate of the deceased or the responsibility of the surviving spouse for debts owed by the deceased is determined by state laws and/or the probate court.
The children are not directly responsible in Pennsylvania. The estate is responsible to settle all the debts. Until these have been paid, the children are not entitled to receive anything.