taos

I did a search before posting, but none of the topics presented quite matched up with my situation. My dad passed away a few months ago and we're trying to get his affairs wrapped up with as little drama as possible. When he passed away, he had a few NFA items. I know that we can use form 5 to transfer the items to a lawful heir. The thing is after speaking with an attorney on just the estate in general, she said it really wasn't worth going through probate to deal with settling debts and dispersing what's left over. Which I'm fine with. But that means we don't technically have an executor for the will. Is it possible to fill out form 5 and have my mom (as the surviving spouse serve as "executor / personal representative") either transfer them to herself or transfer them to me? Or are we going to have to open probate just to deal with these items? Help?