Best way to deal with this (and if it were me....) is to consult an attorney and see, based on the facts, who the legal heirs are.

In regards to your final statement, I am a few months away from converting my basement into a legal dwelling for me to move in while I rent out upstairs to cover more than 80% of my mortgage.

This is a nuance to be sure, but a legal formality that allows you checkbook control.

The numbers that cannot be disputed - location, legal description, taxes, quoted insurance costs, construction type, occupation status and current rent.

I don't know that this type of clause is legally bullet-proof.

Not moving forward with the eviction can cause you 3 more months of rent and legal costs.

Is it legal?

The reason for me is this: If you have a tenant that has their gas cut off in December and it gets turned on, under your account, you can't (legally) turn it off.

The IRA is legally a totally separate entity from you and you money (and labor) cannot mix with the IRA's money.

And unless you tell him that you are not really in control and don't have a legal interest in the property, he'll be perfectly happy to bid on whatever work needs to get done.