[droopyEyelids]

Apple's "Activation lock" keeps devices bound to a specific Apple ID even in the case of a device firmware reset.

This little bit of extra information I've given shows the senselessness of the article.

The device can be reset with the mother's Apple ID. Her Apple ID can be reset through her email address. Her email address controls tons of important accounts that must be dealt with by her successors.

If her children did not get access to her email address, that is poor end-of-life planning, and the iPad problem stems from it.