When a personal representative has estate funds in the representative's possession, the representative shall pay in the following order:
(1) funeral expenses in an amount not to exceed $15,000 and expenses of the decedent's last illness in an amount not to exceed $15,000;
(2) allowances made to the decedent's surviving spouse and children, or to either the surviving spouse or children;
(3) expenses of administration and expenses incurred in preserving, safekeeping, and managing the estate; and
(4) other claims against the estate in the order of the claims' classifications.
Official text of the Texas Estates Code as published by the Texas Legislative Council.