Detailed Answer

Short answer: If your parent died in Nevada without a will and the house was titled only in your parent’s name, the property normally passes to the heirs under Nevada’s intestacy rules and you will need a probate or other court-authorized method to transfer legal title into you and your siblings’ names. Which exact path to take depends on how the house is titled, whether a surviving spouse exists, whether there are mortgages or liens, and the estate’s value.

Step 1 — Check how the property is titled

Start by getting a copy of the recorded deed from the county recorder where the property sits. The deed tells you whether the house is held:

• as sole ownership in the decedent’s name (most common problem you described),
• as joint tenants or tenants with right of survivorship (which typically passes automatically to the surviving co-owner), or
• with a beneficiary or transfer-on-death designation (which may bypass probate if properly done).

If the deed named the decedent alone, the house generally must pass through probate or a court-authorized procedure under Nevada law.

Step 2 — Determine whether probate or a simplified procedure applies

Nevada has probate procedures and intestate succession rules. Which applies depends on the estate’s value and what assets are subject to probate. For a full overview of Nevada’s probate and intestacy laws, see the Nevada Revised Statutes: probate procedures (NRS Chapter 145) and descent and distribution (NRS Chapter 134).

Useful statute pages:

• NRS Chapter 145 — Probate and Administration of Estates
• NRS Chapter 134 — Descent and Distribution (Intestate Succession)
• Nevada Courts — Probate Self‑Help

Step 3 — Common procedures to transfer the house

Typical options to get clear title into you and your siblings’ names:

1. Small estate or summary transfer (if available): If Nevada law allows a simplified affidavit procedure for estates under a certain value, an heir may use that to collect certain assets without full probate. Check NRS and the local probate court rules to confirm limits and steps. If allowed and appropriate, an affidavit plus certified death certificate and required waiting period can allow recording of a new deed.
2. Formal probate administration: File a petition for administration in the county probate court. The court appoints a personal representative (executor/administrator). The representative gathers assets, pays valid debts, and distributes the house according to NRS Chapter 134 if there is no will. After the court issues an order or a personal representative signs a deed, record the new deed with the county.
3. Judicial or nonjudicial settlement alternatives: If all heirs agree, you may be able to use stipulated orders, a family settlement agreement entered with the court, or a simplified court form to speed a transfer. If one or more heirs won’t cooperate, the personal representative may petition for partition or a court-directed sale.

Step 4 — Practical steps and documents you’ll need

Collect and prepare these items early to avoid delays:

• Certified copy of the death certificate (several copies).
• Original recorded deed and a recent title report or county deed search.
• Mortgage statements and proof of any liens or tax delinquencies.
• Basic list of heirs (names, addresses, relationship). If unsure, a title or genealogical search may be needed.
• Property valuation or appraisal (often required by court or for sale/tax purposes).

Step 5 — After probate: how title is changed

Once the court grants distribution or a valid affidavit/new deed is available, the usual method to reflect the new ownership is:

• Prepare a deed (for example, a quitclaim or grant deed) signed by the personal representative or as required by the court order that conveys the property to the heirs in the manner you choose (tenants in common or joint tenants).
• Record the deed at the county recorder’s office where the property sits.

Keep in mind: choosing joint tenancy gives rights of survivorship in the event an heir later dies; tenants in common gives each heir a divisible share. Consider the tax, creditor, and family consequences before choosing the form of ownership.

What if siblings disagree or there are missing heirs?

If heirs dispute distribution, title, sale, or use of proceeds, the probate court resolves the issues. Possible court actions include:

• partition in kind (rare for houses) or ordered sale with proceeds divided,
• accounting of estate debts and creditor claims, and
• quiet title actions if defects or unknown claims exist.

Costs and timeline

Time and cost vary. Simplified procedures (if available and applicable) can take a few weeks to a few months. Formal probate often takes several months to a year or longer depending on complexity, creditor claims, and court schedules. Costs include court filing fees, possible attorney fees, appraisal fees, and recording fees.

When to get a lawyer

Get an attorney if any of the following apply:

• There is a surviving spouse or multiple classes of heirs and you need help applying intestacy rules.
• There are mortgages, unpaid taxes, liens, or complex debts.
• Heirs disagree about sale, partition, or distribution.
• There are missing or unknown heirs, or suspected fraud defects in title.

Key Nevada resources and statutes

• NRS Chapter 134 — Descent and Distribution (Intestate Succession)
• NRS Chapter 145 — Probate and Administration of Estates
• Nevada Courts — Probate Self‑Help

Helpful Hints

• Obtain several certified death certificates right away; many agencies require originals.
• Check the county recorder online for the deed and any liens before filing anything.
• Ask the mortgage lender about payoff and transfer procedures; a mortgage does not disappear on death.
• Keep copies of all communications with creditors, insurers, and the county tax office.
• Agree in writing with siblings early about sale vs. keeping the property to reduce conflict.
• Consider an appraisal before deciding whether to keep or sell—the value affects tax and distribution decisions.
• If all heirs agree, a joint meeting with a probate attorney can be faster and cheaper than contested proceedings.
• Confirm whether simplified small‑estate procedures apply in your county before starting full probate.
• Recording the new deed is the last step—don’t assume ownership has changed until the deed is recorded.
• If you suspect missing heirs, do a careful search or hire a title company—unknown heirs can reopen matters later.

Disclaimer

This article explains general Nevada procedures and statutes to help you understand options when a parent dies without a will. It is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and should not substitute for consulting a Nevada probate attorney about your specific facts.