The life estate will spell out the obligations of the step-father (taxes, utilities, insurance, upkeep - or even a base rent that you could use to cover those costs).

Now, granted, this is going back more than 40 years ago so there have surely been changes - BUT, much has not changed (my father still lives in the Poconos during the warm season).

Some of the questions I'll need to discuss with them:1) The home is renting by the room (grand-fathered with the city zoning) and month-to-month, and I want to understand which of the laws apply to our situation.

YT it and it's a really creative way to purchase your mother/father in laws property.  

Brought up by a father who owned his own construction business my entire life, I know the trade well.

My 12 yr old sister was playing horseshoes with my father and 2 other adults. she was good at it.

My father-in-law owns a farm in Southeast Ohio.

For example, what state is the property in; did your parents hold title jointly or as tenants in common; did your mother or father die last or did they die in a common disaster; did they leave a will or did they die intestate; if there are wills who are the beneficiaries, if not, are you and your sister the heirs and are there any other heirs; was the property their or the last to die's homestead and are there any creditors of your parents estates. 

Quoting his father, he said simply, “Real estate is crazy.”

They can refer agents from father away. right now I have 3 buyers for concord,ca and sacramento county.