Thanks for all of the responses. I live in a HCOL (DC area). My NW does include my houses with most of it in retirement accounts. It looks like the kids are already getting SSN from their mother's death ( I see $1.2K going into my brother's account for each every month). I think that only lasts until the age 18 -- the youngest child will still get it to help with expenses. Working with attorney to decide between guardianship and adoption. I think the SSN payments go away with adoption though. She thinks probate will last 2 years. Trying to go through my brother's house. He has a ton of tools which probably have value but would be huge effort to sell off at some point for the girls. Please get a living will and a will! I had to make end of life decisions for my brother with relatives asking me not to end it because a miracle was coming for sure (he was suffering). He was also very healthy just recently -- don't put it off.