Roommate/owner Of The House Suddenly Passed. No Will. I Am On The Deed Title, Was Co-signer On Mortgage. Removed From Co-signer, Still On Deed. (mi/usa)

I will preface this with "I am a bad adult." As in I only figured out my insurance a couple years ago. I feel lost and may not be legal advise I need just direction. I'm unsure just how to proceed. Do I wait, etc.

My friend and myself of 20+ years purchased a house together. He wanted to get one with me, and he needed me to co-sign on the loan/mortgage (if thats the correct term). He said the plan was to take me off it at a later date. I'm assuming mortgage loan because it wouldn't make sense for the deed. I'm unsure the exact reason I was going to be taken off the mortgage, if there's benefits for him.

Anyways we get a house together. Look for one with both agree upon, both our parents come out, my parents a lot more. But this was his idea and spear headed/handled everything. We purchase the house, he's on the deed. I was written in on the deed with pen. It was initialized by me and whomever was overseeing it. And as his parents lawyer told me on the phone its in the database, or records that my name is on it as owner and manually written but validated (paraphrasing) I have a copy of that deed.

Years ago we took me off as co-signer on the mortgage and he refinanced I want to say. This entire time he had handled all payments. I just gave him money monthly with our two other roommates, I paid more. He handled the taxes, water, electricity, paying for everything from escrow? Or maybe just some of it? Not sure how that works. I know for tax purposes I didn't claim home ownership or anything regarding that, he did. He took care of all the property taxes.

I believe about 2/3rds of the house are paid off. Frankly I completely had forgotten I was on the deed to the house. I don't know why but I thought taking me off the co-sign for the mortgage meant I was no longer a co-owner. Again, bad adulting. Me and him had a good relationship. I remember telling my parents I'm off the mortgage and they asked is he going to buy me out, or if he sells give me a cut. And I was just confused with a "No. I just co-signed and I had co-owned with him and I'm off" On the flip side my room mate and friend probably didn't realize how dumb I am to sit me down and explain anything.

So he passed, we were worried about living situations. We least made sure the water bill was paid. His parents are dealing with the lawyer just today. Theyre the ones who said I'm on the deed so it's my house now. And the lawyer confirmed that while some clerks or counties or something may have issue with the write in on the deed it's fine and can be dealt with, it's mine. Because I was just shocked. I have the original deed while we were organizing his things and put it safe.

I'm on good terms with the parents. I'm aware the advise is to not trust anyone, so no 'in good faith'. I'm just looking for legal facts.

The mortgage is I believe 2/3rds paid off. Does it transfer to me? Or how is it handled?

Do I need my own lawyer? Or is theirs going to handle this?

How do I figure out all the things that need to be paid? I don't know any of this, or actually all the things that do need to be paid. This is probably a question my folks can help me with and other but how do I gain ownership?

I have a death certificate they gave me when they came over to pick up some more paperwork I found.

Even if the advise is links to reading stuff I'm fine.

Edit: Will use this to add things I forget