Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in New York

Deed needs to be examined, as more facts are needed to properly respond. Why is Mom's name not on Deed? If her name is not on Deed, she has nothing to leave to her children, as she had no ownership interest. It appears she only had, at best, a life estate, which would end on her demise. If Deed is only in a sibling's name, how did he get ownership. This might be a basis for litigating ownership. This is a response to an Internet question and the reply is not intended to be legal advice or as creaqting an attorney-client relationship. Different facts or missing facts may change the response.