Re: .tax
I can't access any websites to back this up, but this is my understanding of the inheritance, in the situation you are describing (caroerin).
Taking as an example a family where the father has died, the wife is alive, and there are several adult children.
A) All property and assets were in the fathers name, and he left no will. In this case the assets (including the house) would be divided between the wife and children, the wife would not own the house and would have to consult the children before doing anything.
B) Some assets (such as the house) were in the joint names of the husband and wife, he left no will. In this case the joint assets will transfer to the wife, and all other assets (such as a bank account in the fathers name only, his car if it was in his name) will be divided between the wife and children.
C) Where everything is in the fathers name and there is a will. In this case the assets will be divided as the will lays out, unless he has been very unfair. For example, if his wife was left nothing then she would have a strong case to get some or all of his estate, but adult children would have a weaker claim.
D)Where there are joint assets and a will. In this case the joint assets (depending on the terms) will go the the wife (or surviving holder) and the rest of the assets will be distributed as laid down in the will.
There are cases where these wouldn't hold, but generaly that's what would happen. It all comes down to whether or not there was a will, and what the will said!! I'm afraid it's a bit complicated, so this is where consulting a professional would be useful!!!! I am not a professional, this is what I think would happen, based on what I have heard other people say.