Mortgage written off?

[Greg Cannon]

Firstly, i want sure if this is the proper forum to ask this question. Also, please pardon my ignorance with regard to these topics, I've only purchased 1 home so far, and am trying to assist my wife and her father. My father-in-law just told us that his house was written off a few years ago after some sort of bankruptcy. His wife passed away last year and he wants to start preparing his will. This was my wife's childhood home and she wants to try and keep the house in the family ..... which doesn't seem likely to me once her father passes, considering it was written off and they don't have the title. 1. How can we find out who, if anyone, has the title? 2. Is it possible to reopen the account and pay it off? 3. If so, how can we find out what that would cost? (The written off debt plus any fees, etc...) 4. If its not possible to pay the written off debt, or otherwise save the house, does the bank (or whoever) come confiscate the house AND belongings when her father passes? She would like to at least save the memorabilia inside the house. Should she slowly start taking the stuff now?... she really doesn't want to do that if it isn't necessary. Again, pardon my ignorance, there is likely an obvious and apparent answer to this question. Im trying to ease my wife and father in laws concerns, as well as formulate a plan before we sit down with her father to aid in the will. (I posted in the Florida section as I didn't see any specific mortgage or debt sections, feel free to relocate the thread as needed.) Thanks for any input you can provide ​​​​​​​