Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Ohio

''Estate'' value less than $1000. Is probate required?

I have a friend who lived her whole life with minimal income (SS disability), subsidized housing, food stamps, medicaid, etc. She has basic household items (personal property) most of which were 2nd hand and given to her. No savings/checking accts. No cash under mattress. No real estate, no car, etc. If everything in her apt were sold would be lucky to get $1000. Cremation cost $800 which I paid for. There is significant debt in form of credit cards, unpaid medical expenses, book of the month club, etc. December 1st rent will be due on apartment. Pt did make a will naming me (not a relative) as sole beneficiary. Has 3 living siblings with difficulties of their own who have not been involved in her life. I need to get that apartment emptied ASAP and want to sell lock/stock/barrel to ''highest bidder''. May or may not even recoup my expenses for funeral/death certifs/obit. Do I have to file in probate court? Am I legally allowed to dispose of personal property in order to clear out apt. Otherwise, apt will lock me out of apt and dispose of property so they can get apt ready to re-rent. There is one last SS check (just under $1000) which I cannot cash because I am not POA. What happens to that?

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