died with no will

I have a distant relative who died in the USA. I beleive I have worked out her name and that she died in California.

I understand she left no will and no known relatives in the USA.

1 What is the law in terms of dealing with her estate, in particular - time frame for claiming against it and who to contact.

2 I have spent days on the net without finding anything useful - where should I look to confirm details of deceased and her death.

Graham.
New Zealand

FEB 9, 2001


DEAR GRAHAM:

Send me an e-mail message to the e-mail address shown below and I will try to find you an obituary notice or detailed death information for the relative you mentioned if you will give me her name and what California city you think she may have lived in and her approximate age.

[email protected]