My experience with clients who try to handle affairs of the deceased has not been good. This trust was set up (in Virginia) for the benefit of a spouse with dementia. A daughter who lives in California became the successor trustee upon her father's death. (Taxes for her mother were always rushed in around April 14...) So, no, she did not pursue or was aware of her trustee responsibilities.

If this were your client, would you refuse to process the house sale? There should be no tax liability.