The short answer
You can, in a few specific ways, and each one has a protection.
If the estate can't pay all its debts, federal law puts the United States first. An executor who pays others first can be personally liable for the federal debt left unpaid. The IRS says this applies if you knew of the tax, or didn't take due care to find out.
You can ask the IRS to settle your parent's taxes sooner, and to release you from that liability. Signing as executor, keeping records, insuring the property and not carrying the whole job alone protect you too.
This chapter explains how things usually work in the United States. It is not legal, tax or financial advice, and the rules where you live may differ. Before you act on anything here, check it with one of the people named at the end of the chapter.
What to do
- Find out whether your parent owed any federal tax.
- Pay debts in the order the law sets, after asking a lawyer if the estate may be short.
- Ask a tax preparer about Form 4810 and Form 5495 once the returns are filed.
- Sign every paper as executor, with the estate's name.
- Tell the insurer about any house or valuables in the estate, and whether a house is empty.
- Keep The estate record up to date, with receipts.
- Ask for help before you are overwhelmed.
What can wait
- Handing out the inheritance, until the tax picture is clear.
- The final small payments, until the last tax bill is settled.
Who can help
A probate lawyer can tell you what you are personally responsible for where your parent lived. A tax preparer or CPA can tell you what your parent owed and which IRS forms fit.
People do not have to be suicidal to call the 988 Lifeline.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988, or chat at chat.988lifeline.org. Free, confidential, any hour of any day.
It is also for people worried about a friend or loved one. Text and chat are available in Spanish.
The Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, any hour; free and confidential (message and data rates may apply). Also on WhatsApp and web chat.
The Veterans Crisis Line: dial 988 then press 1, text 838255, or chat online at veteranscrisisline.net. Free, confidential, any hour. It serves veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and their families and friends; no VA enrollment needed.
The rules, phone numbers and web addresses in this book were checked against the agencies’, courts’ and organizations’ own pages in October 2026. Where a rule differs by state, the book names one state as an example. Check anything you rely on with the office itself.
From Book 2: Being in Charge
This page has the short answer and the closing lists from chapter 13. The full chapter explains, in plain words, what exists, what to ask, and who can answer. The book covers months 1 to 9 after the death.
Questions near this one
Other questions on related subjects, from this book and the others.
- When can I hand out the inheritance? Book 2, Being in Charge
- Do I owe tax on what I inherit? Book 3, Their Money
- Who files the final tax return, and when? Book 3, Their Money
- What happens to their pension or annuity? Book 3, Their Money
Hear when Being in Charge is out
A short note when each book is out. Five or six emails a year at most. You can unsubscribe whenever you like.