Do I have to wait to distribute money to my siblings until the estate is closed?

No. A personal representative has the discretion to make a partial distribution of assets during the administration of the estate. You cannot make a distribution to siblings and then have insufficient funds to pay creditors or taxes. However, say you have $100,000.00 in the estate with five beneficiaries. Assuming that there are no significant creditors or taxes owing, the personal representative can make a partial distribution of $10,000.00 to each of the beneficiaries. Once final expenses have been made and the estate is ready to close, the personal representative can distribute the remaining assets to the beneficiaries.