Hello,

Thank you for using JA. If father passed without a will, he would have died intestate and the state laws would control who got what. Brother would have to file a petition to be named administrator of the estate. Once this was done, he would then have the power to gather all assets, pay any debts, file an inventory, file any final tax returns, prepare a final accounting, and then distribute any surplus assets to the heirs at law.
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Assuming he was not married, his biological children would share in the estate equally.
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As for paying for your flight, I hate to tell you this, but the estate wouldn't be legally obligated to do so since there was no requirement that you attend the funeral if you chose not to. Obviously if there was any surplus left over after all debts were paid, it may cover your costs out of your half of the estate proceeds.
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Thanks.

Barrister

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