<prompt> Human: Let me explain the situationMy grandmother passed away this past July. She was on home hospice and we were working on getting this situated with the social worker; planning on doing the Transfer-On-Death forms. We couldnt get it done before it was too late. I registered a computershare account with all her details a week or two before she passed. Ive printed out a transfer request form and filled it out as much as I am able to. I havent sent it yet. In progress: When I send the transfer request form Im going to include: A Medallion Guarantee StampIf even possible, havent gotten this yet, have to go to the bank; What do I need?, Death Certificatenot a copy, 2 copies of identificationMine and my mothers, An Affidavit of Domicile formFilled out with RocketLawyer; Do I need this notarized? What do I need to get this notarized? Is this document official without a court process?, A confirmation of approximant value of stocks; about 4,500 ATT Screencapped an account overview on computershare, A change of address notice i got through the mail when first initially registered her on computershare, and the most recent dividend check that came through the mail. In addition to the above, I have to include:About two or three weeks ago I reported the stock certificates lost on the computershare website, and this put a stop transfer restrictiction against the lost securities. As required by law, we have filed a Securities Information Center Report with the financial communityThey sent us a Affidavit and Application form to fill out which requires a notarized Small Estate Affidavit document which Im pretty sure has to go through court. Why did I report the certificates lost? Because I thought this was the way to go. Im pretty sure I could dig through some of her stuff and find some old paperback certificates from 1988 to present. My Sister had a joint bank account with my grandmother that was closed a week after she passed away because of overdraft charges. This transfer would be going into my mothers name. My grandma owned 3 houses, filed bankruptcy and lost 2 houses. She stopped paying her house payment 4 years ago because who would pay 50,000 for a 10,000 house. Foreclosure process began and she was kicked out last march. Died in July. House went through Sheriffs auction in November and it sold for 5,000 closing costs and such. If a probatelawyer is absolutely the only way to obtain these stocks, would my mother be on the hook for the house debt? If a probatelawyer is needed would the courtlawyer costs even be worth all this trouble for 4,500? Im attempting to buy my first car.  <response>: You need to read up on what an Estate means.When someone dies, all their assets are now part of the estate, and all their debts will need to be paid out of the estate. Only after the debts are taken care, are leftovers distributed. The probate process is the process all this is handled legally. Unless someone is a joint debt holder or a consigner, debts cannot be inherited.You should stop messing with trying to get the shares, as they are legally part of her estate. You need to engage a lawyer IF you think there are enough assets to pay off the debts, and have leftover. 