Good that your FAFSA issue is solved!
But do talk to a lawyer about ALL outstanding debts that were in your mother’s name.
OP- good you have a lawyer. Even without a will, there are laws which dictate who gets what, who is responsible for which debts, etc. It isn’t some giant free for all, where the hospital claims you owe them X and the surgeon claims you owe them Y and the town where you live gets whatever is left for the property tax bill.
The lawyer will help you sort this out- pay nothing to nobody in the meantime. Once you’ve paid a bill on your Mom’s behalf you will have little recourse if it turns out you didn’t need to pay it. And creditors (that’s anyone who has a claim on your mom’s assets) understand that when someone dies you need to get in line and wait for the legal process to kick in.
I am so sorry for your loss. What a sad time for you and your sister. Glad the Fafsa situation worked out though…