I'm sorry for you and the family.

We're going through this right now, although we have done it once before.

The laws vary a lot between states, so you must be sure you are getting the correct information for the state that your dad resides in when he dies. Among other things, many states have a simplified form of probate or simplified estate rules for estates valued under a certain amount, and the amount also varies, and whether it includes the home varies.

So go ahead and start researching *for his state* what the procedures are there. And find and read the current version of any will.

You probably should have had power of attorney before now, but any power of attorney does not continue after death anyway. (Don't worry, if you are the executor you will have the power to settle the estate, pay bills, collect amounts owing, sell the house, etc.)