Buying land Next to a house , the land owner is recently deceased.

[Aaron Foster]

I'm in the process of trying to purchase a house, I am interested in purchasing it only if I can buy a small undeveloped .25 acre of land next to the house. I found the owners information on the SDAT and looked her up through tax records. Apparently she just passed away in June of this year. Who do I contact to purchase the property and how? I work better with visuals so here is an image of the property; She owned the top 3 of 4 highlighted parcels. (64,65,66).    The irony of it is that the address she had listed is actually the funeral home which she owned...

[Rick H.]

Since dead people don't sign papers (except in fraudulent transfer litigation cases) you will need to find the person in charge of the decedent's estate (or trust, if applicable).

This is likely a "pre-probate" scenario whereby no one has filed to open probate yet. 

If the mortuary is currently an operating business, you can inquire about the whereabouts of the decedent's heir(s). Hopefully, that's one adult child, who has the original will, and is cooperative with your plans. 

Here are some other clues to finding family members: 

Look at the next of kin listed on the death certificate, likely found at your county clerk or recorders office (bureau of vital statistics or similar dept name).

Check out obituary for family members, if one was published.

Check out where mail is forwarded.

Now you're playing the skip trace game.