First, be sure there is no will. Just because you do not quickly find one does not mean there is not one in a safety deposit box or hidden away with other papers. If the decedent stated before death that he or she had no will, then you be fairly sure there was none. If there is no will, the government has a plan for his money.  Florida has a law which dictates that when there is no Will, certain persons will receive the estate assets. Florida law on this “intestate succession”  has recently changed but in essence the closest blood relatives will take the entire estate.  A Florida probate attorney will be able to direct you whether an estate is needed and how this law may apply.