Your returned letter is referred to as a 'nixie' in the direct response mail world.Many years ago I coined the term 'pre-probate' to describe any scenario such as yours that refers to real estate vested in name of deceased person prior to filing any probate court action.While this may appear to be an anomaly to you, I've made (and kept) several fortunes from capitalizing on the exact situation you've encountered. 

That has to be old-fashioned paper for me, but courts will accept electronic signatures. 

The broker I was working with said the property will be sold on the court house step.

What we have realized so far is, even if we are following all the rules and abiding by the law, if a renter feels like it, they can easily cost us a fortune even if we are correct and will win in court of law.

You may want to follow up in writing in case it ends up in small claims court or some kind of mediation.

Is this one SFR are you flipping or buying on the court steps?

I am visiting the courts directly rather than subscribing to a service, and in other counties I ask for the most recent case number and work backwards.  

"Most liens will go away"  The liens that can affect you will be State Tax Lien, IRS Lien and Superior lien usually from an HOA.But if you see the court files and see all the judgement and make numbers and add it to you "possible liability" and some rehab worst case scenario and you can still come ahead why not do it ?

She has tried to evict the tenant but the tenant comes to court with a free lawyer and is allowed to remain in the property.

She has tried to evict the tenant but the tenant comes to court with a free lawyer and is allowed to remain in the property.