Yes, and you may sell assets to raise the cash necessary.

The house can be sold before or after probate is closed. After the estate is closed, the executor is not a necessary party to the sale.

You are not required to have an attorney, although that is certainly recommended. The Clerk of Court in the county in which the decedent lived issues the Letters.

You have to file a VA non-resident return along with an NC resident return.

To open a probate proceeding in Florida you must hire an attorney. The attorney will advise you about the type of administration necessary, but it's likely formal administration.

For all property owned by the wife at her death, including what was jointly owned property with the husband prior to his death, or passed to her under the husband's Will, the wife's Will will control.

Since she was a Florida resident, and a promissory note is intangible personal property, her estate should be opened in Florida. If she sold land subject to an installment sale, she does not own the land - she would just have a note and mortgage.

Yes, if purchased as husband and wife, it's considered tenancy by the entirety, and the home will pass to the surviving spouse with no probate required.

If you sell the house for more than it was worth when you inherited it, you will pay capital gains tax on the difference, less any costs of sale. Depreciation must also be recaptured - its is taxed at 25%.

There are no penalties, you just have to pay tax on any net profit at ordinary income rates, since the gain would be short-term.

I'm sorry for you loss. Most likely, as Florida requires that personal representatives hire an attorney. The only reason you would not need one is if all assets go directly to beneficiaries, such as through beneficiary designation for life insurance and retirement accounts.

You do not owe any excise tax, but you are required to file a federal gift tax return reporting the value of the home as a gift. Assuming you have not used your $5.49 million gift and estate tax exemption, no tax will be due.

Yes, unless she waived her rights in a valid prenuptial agreement. Current law for marriage under 5 years is 15%.

The Clerk of Court generally requires that an estate be closed in one year from the personal representative's qualification date, but extensions can be obtained for good cause.

In Florida, a attorney is required for probate matters. Best wishes in getting the probate completed.

I'm licensed in FL and NC. You should hire an NC licensed attorney to advise and assist you.

You and your siblings own the home, and you cannot transfer it to yourself without consent of your siblings and their spouses, if any.

Yes. If you get sued, the home is not protected as it would be if it's in both names. Also, if you want her to receive it at your death, it would not automatically go to her.