I have a good RE Lawyer who does LC's so that's a plus.The couple, though, has a daycare that would be in the house and that concerns me.

You need a good realtor, PM company, and some local vendors like lawyers, etc...A good realtor or PM company should have all of the vendors you need lined up.

Maybe you ought to consult a lawyer.

Any Lawyer recommendations would be great.

I am not a lawyer ..I think owner gone is never coming back and at best one more skip trace could be tried and then it is time to realize he will not be found and that he no longer has any claim to anything as it seems silly to have $38K rent in a jar, mattress, under floor board, etc.Fair distribution of $38K is another matter but maybe donate it to a good cause in the neighborhood (boys and girls club, a park, other).

Before I ask my question, I know that whatever answers come do not count as legal advice, and I should ask a lawyer, lender, title company, before anything is finalized.I have use Limited/Special Power of Attorney before for some real estate purchases, and I am planning to sell some properties, then 1031 them into others. 

sellers credit getting hammered lawyer letters.. and complaints to the AG.. 

Get a lawyer ASAP.

After hearing the lawyer talk about insurance companies and things he has seen I would never buy in my own name again.

How much does your lawyer charge for an eviction?