If that person want profit from each deal going along, you can make agreement with each deal you are doing. 

There are many local experienced investors

The person who owned it before me filed an affidavit of correction for a mortgage he had on the property and referenced an instrument number that had the wrong legal description.

From personal experience, MLS deals are much less lucrative given their higher price points (typically).With respect to financing, you can talk to any of the hard money lenders on this site for different financing programs they offer (some are tighter with someone who has not yet executed a flip), you can take equity out on existing properties you have, you can use private loan from a friend or relative.

Would appreciate recommendations from this group for attorneys / law firms that specialize in such matters as well as suggestions on what I should / could do if you have personal experience with such matters. 

“No one should be denied access to opportunity simply because they have experienced a medical emergency.”This statement is unfortunately laden with poor assumptions.

I was used to dealing with one person for property management.

House hacking will also give you some personal "property management" experience.

Have never heard or experienced that...we try to do excessive due diligence during contingency to ensure that doesn't occur.

I'll PM you directly with my personal cell phone if you can text me when you have a moment.