My condolences to your wife's and your family.
My Mother died several years ago, with small, uncomplicated assets - no real estate, little cash, and no will.
One of my sisters was named executrix (by a court? I don't know). The property such as it was was given to some of her local grandchildren.
Her vehicle - an older Mercury Topaz with no outstanding note, was released to my brother - we siblings signed some sort of N.Y.S. "quit claim" form for, IIRC, vehicles worth less than 10K. That gave him legal title to the car, which he gave to his son.