Depending on the laws of the state and the time period, a person may have listed all or none of their family as heirs. Some states required that everyone be listed even if they were not to receive a large share of the estate. The dollar had to be noted and given to show that the deceased meant for that person to be excluded. Other variations of this were paragraphs that stated exclusions boldly. This happened only if the person was lucky.
Some wills clearly state that money owed is to be paid to the estate or the widow.
Property could be divided up or set out in a provision that the land be placed for sale and the highest bidder among the heirs would receive the property. If you run across a Sheriff's Sale this may have happened because of a share and share alike provision of a will or a provision that the property was to be put up for sale to help pay all debts. Virtually anything can be included in a will. Disposition of property and goods are the most common, but a will can also be used to designate guardians for minor children and many other facets of a person's last wishes. The estate is another matter.