A power of attorney lapses on the death of the principal (your father). In Ohio, what you need to do is open your father's estate in the probate court of the county where he resided. As part of this, you would nominate yourself to be his executor and notice would be given to your sister (and any other siblings). Do not (for God's sake) get in a contest with your sister over who should be the executor, the judge might settle it by appointing an "independent" executor, usually a crony of the judge, he or she will bleed the estate dry with huge legal fees.
Answered on Nov 13th, 2014 at 3:06 PM