It seems that the estate went 1/4 directly to each son and the other 1/4 into a life estate for Mom. Upon her death, the 1/4 life estate would be divided among the 3 sons. If Son A gives his 1/4 minerals to Mom, then she will have 1/4 minerals plus the 1/4 life estate. So she will receive the royalties on 1/2 of your father’s minerals. Upon her death, she can leave the 1/4 minerals to anyone she wants. The 1/4 life estate will pass in accordance with the terms of your father’s will. Often a life estate will pass to the surviving sons and to the children of a deceased son. Assuming that your brother has no children, then the 1/4 would pass to the 2 remaining sons. However, you will have to read the terms of the life estate to be certain how it will pass. It is always possible that it passes to the 3 sons and if one is deceased then to his heirs at law.
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