If by school bill you mean student loan, you will have to repay that. For $22,000 it is not clear bankruptcy is the best way to handle the cards. ...

Without a will, the niece gets nothing.

New Jersey. Get the letters there, and bring to DMV there or here. It is easier to do a transfer from NJ to NY once in your name, so I recommend...

Yes, because if the trust is testamentary and not created now, letters of trusteeship must be issued as part of the probate process.

Sure. Hire a private investigator and get a report.

It depends on the terms of the trust. It would be usual for you to be reimbursed. But, the document must provide for it.

This will be complicated and expensive to unravel. It depends on the POA and if it was done correctly. Then, it will turn on if your father...

To protect yourself you can petition the court for a declaration the guy cannot be found. But, I am not sure you have done everything you can do. ...

Your birth certificate, DNA test (which I recommend doing), and anything where he acknowledged you as the child, like cards, etc.

Was there a trust ever set up? Who was the trustee?