Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Pennsylvania

It's not clear whether a copy of the will was found. It is possible to probate a copy of a will, if certain requirements are met.

If no original or copy of the will can be found, the estate is administered under "intestate" law. A close relative may act as the administrator or personal representative of the estate. Your father should check the paper he signed to be sure that it was about his right to act as personal representative and not anything else.

Intestate heirs are first, surviving spouse, if any, and then children of the deceased. If everyone in the family agrees, your family may have a "family settlement agreement" in writing, allowing you to inherit the house - and dealing with any other agreements among you about who will receive what. Before anything can be distributed, all debts and taxes must be paid, and if there are not enough liquid assets, the house may have to be sold to satisfy those debts and taxes.

If everyone agrees, you could live in the property before the estate is settled. As you point out, vacant properties are more at risk than occupied ones.

It need not be any more drawn out than any other estate administration.

Your family may need the assistance of an estates lawyer to navigate the probate and any family agreements, as well as properly administering and retitling assets in the estate. An estates lawyer in the county where your grandmother resided should be consulted.

This response is not legal advice, since I do not have all of the information that would be required, and I do not have a representation agreement with you.

* If the answers to your question confirm that you have a valid issue or worthwhile claim, your next step should almost always be to establish a dialog with a lawyer who can provide specific advice to you. Contact a lawyer in your county or township.

* Another reason for contacting a lawyer is that it is often impossible to give a good answer in the Internet Q&A format without having more information. The unique circumstances of your situation and things that you may not have thought to mention in your question may completely change the answer. If you want to be sure that you have a complete answer to your question and an understanding of what that answer means, establish a connection with a lawyer who practices in the area of your concern.