He should get a lawyer:1) He committed insurance fraud by never telling the insurer and keeping himself on (and presumably, since auto policies are typically for one year, renewing the policy 2 or 3 times) a dead man's policy. He could face jail time  for this.2) Because the policy holder is deceased and the policy was maintained and renewed under fraudulent circumstances, the insurer does not  need to honor the policy, so the son will be personally liable for the accident.3) He may have committed fraud in regards to other matters, such as the home, if he kept representing that his father was alive to the municipaity or lenders.4) He wil have to start the probate process so the estranged (but still married at the time of your friend's death) wife gets her share of the estate, and if his delay has cost her money or value, she can sue him.5) And there is the foreclosure to deal with.In short, there are many major legal issues facing the son and he badly needs an attorney. He could, as stated, face criminal charges and substantial civil liability.