deceased beneficiary of life insurance

TEXAS: Dad died in March. Mom was the sole beneficiary of his life insurance. Mom died in May. Her hand-written will states that her estate should be divided evenly between the 3 adult children; which we did easily without attorneys or court. We are now filing for Dad's life insurance. The company will only pay to Mom's "estate". She has none officially. Can we establish an "estate" without going to court?

I live in Georgia and my Mom passed away in 2006.She had a will leaving all to her 3 living children.In her will she named one of the children as Executor of the estate.Go to your county's courthouse first to have the will probated.Many attorney's will give you free advice as to what procedures you go through in having a will probated.Unless someone objects the will I don't think you would have to go to court.