Before an Estate is finally settled and its debts can be paid, necessary expenses may accumulate.

Some bills will need to be paid immediately to ensure that the Estate retains its value, but others do not need to be paid until Probate has finished.

Bills that should be paid by the surviving family, Heirs, or other Beneficiaries are known as administrative expenses.

These bills should continue to be paid until Probate is finished and the Estate can provide a reimbursement.

Typically they include, but are not limited to:

• Utilities


• Mortgage


• Condo fees


• Property taxes


• Storage fees

Bills that should not be paid by an individual typically include, but are not limited to:

• Income taxes


• Personal loans


• Life insurance or retirement account loans


• Credit card bills


• Cell phone bills

These bills should only be paid for by the Estate once Probate is complete.

Typically, the person appointed to manage the Estate, known as the Executor, will manage all final payments and reimbursements.

For more information about how the Estate pays debts or provides reimbursements, see the Pay Bills, Debts and Taxes section of the checklist.