Sorcha--you're right about that. Over two years in the case of my father's estate, with no will.

One comes out of that experience having lost much of the time needed to remember the special things about the loved one. If there's an attorney ask up front what they'll charge, (you must speak of money when dealing with estates, no two ways about it) and decide if it's worth it to have them do the work. For many people, it is, but there are still matters to be attended to by your sister.

SRS