Legal Responsibilities After Parent Dies

Location: California

I found out my father passed away last week. I have received two somewhat varying descriptions of his passing but basically he was dead in his trailer for at least a few days while his bathtub water was running. What is certain is that the trailer is covered in mold inside and other "fluids".

My father owned this trailer but had it parked in a mobile home park where he paid lot rent. I am his only next of kin. I am also 8 hours away.

I have tried to do research but this is my first time dealing with death. I don't believe my father's "estate" will trigger a probate. He had that trailer, an old paid off van, I think a storage unit, and whatever is in his bank account (s?). Which I'm guessing is next to nothing. My father and I were not close and I saw him about once every five years so my exact knowledge of his life is very limited.

And I will say this, I also have basically nothing to my name.

I am not worried about anything having to do with inheritance or monetary gain. My main question is about his trailer. It is not salvageable and should be destroyed. From what I read because it is a biohazard, it can't just be junked. It has to be professionally decontaminated first. I absolutely do not have the money for that or any junking process after.

I was told that if there is no money to be gained or there's no money in the "estate" to pay things off that essentially I'm not responsible for the trailer. And that eventually the mobile home park company will have to be the ones to take care of it. Is any of that true? Will I get sued or anything if I just leave the trailer there? I know that since his lot rent will not be getting paid, something would happen there but I'm not sure what.

I would greatly, greatly appreciate any help at all regarding the legal responsibilities and pocesses after someone passes. Trying to deal with this while being 8 hours away is extremely difficult and the people I have talked to so far do not seem particularly forthcoming with what is happening and what I'm supposed to do.

I appreciate any help