Kyle, TX Estate Planning Law Firms & Lawyers

First, your father's estate must be probated by a Court heirship proceeding, small estate affidavit or Affidavit of Heirship, passing his interest to your mother (if all his children are her children). Second, if your mother lacked legal capacity to contract when she "sold" the lots to your sister, report elder exploitation to Adult Protective Services. Third, if the person who purchased from your sister did not know all this, your remedy is to sue your sister for the money she got from selling the lots. You may be eligible for free representation through Volunteer Legal Services or discounted representation through the Modest Means program of Lawyer Referral Service in your area or through a clinic at a nearby law school.

Somebody needs to apply for probate. In this case, it would probably be his wife and it would be started where he died. However, you say temporarily. Was he on vacation or was it an extended stay? Did he tell you it was temporary so you wouldn't get mad? Regardless, if he really live in your state, I suppose you could open up a probate there, but eventually someone will win the battle of the probate forums. If the wife opens in the other state, she can then use that to open a probate in your state to handle his property there. You need to talk with an attorney and his wife and figure out the best way to proceed.

Hire a probate lawyer who practices in the county in which your daughter lived and died.  Depending on the size of the estate, you may be able to file a Small Estate Affidavit.  This costs less than a determination of heirship and does not require a court appearance.