I've sold a house twice by using Express Mail to return the paperwork. I had it notarized at my end if required. If the grandmother is long dead, I don't see why the mother needs to go to a lawyer unless there is a trust being dissolved or the mother is receiving a payment from the trust. Even in that case, the trust would spell out what everyone receives on dissolution or when reaching a certain age. This is a situation that can be resolved by a couple of telephone calls and mail.