I do not in any way wish to have been in your shoes regarding the estate issues, Jack. Just doing my mom's estate took a year or so, and there are still things I need to do but aren't pressing issues.
My cousin Debra had to deal with my Aunt Doris' estate issues after her death in November, and is now dealing my Uncle Rock's estate issues. Doris and Rock had separate accounts and separate annuities.
Debra made sure that all of Doris' annuities were assigned to Rock for however long he survived her. Then she had to notify everyone of his death and get things ready to be divided between her and her two brothers.
Don't know where it all stands, but she has worked her butt off on this, and she didn't have 24 others to contend with.