My mother died in March and I have received checks totaling approx. $600. Made payable to "The Estate of Mary Smith" and my bank said I need to set up an estate account to cash them. She had no will or other assets and only my brother and I as heirs. What do I need to set up an estate account? Do I need a lawyer?

To set up an estate account you first need an order from the probate court that identifies you as the executor (also called administrator). You'll also need an Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) from the IRS. Then you go to the bank with a copy of the death certificate. An attorney can certainly help you out on the mechanics of all this, but it's not necessary.