I have been advised to check to see if I am entitled to any of my husband's estate. We separated after living together for one year. We never divorced and I very recently found out he died. I was told I should contact an attorney. He probably had a will and left everything to his child. I'm open for suggestions.

Yes you need a probate attorney ( and need one really quick)

Depends on the state, in some states, a wife can not be completely wrote out of a will, ( they can leave her a dollar, but not out) and as the legal wife you have the right to contest a will.

Next you said "probably" which means he may not have had one either.

Now from the moral side, you were together a year, you moved on, do you really, really deserve anything, or does his child really deserve everything, That is you choice to make

But hire an attorney to look into it.