N.M. Stat. § 45-3-807
Payment of claims.
A. Upon the expiration of the earlier of the time limitations provided in Section 45-3-
803 NMSA 1978, the personal representative shall proceed to pay the claims allowed
against the estate in the order of priority described, after making provision for family and
personal property allowances, for claims already presented that have not yet been
allowed or whose allowance has been appealed and for unbarred claims that may yet
be presented, including costs and expenses of administration. By petition to the district
court in a proceeding for the purpose or by appropriate motion if the administration is
supervised, a claimant whose claim has been allowed but not paid may secure an order
directing the personal representative to pay the claim to the extent funds of the estate
are available to pay it.
B. The personal representative at any time may pay any just claim that has not
been barred, with or without formal presentation, but he is personally liable to any other
claimant whose claim is allowed and who is injured by its payment if:
(1)
payment was made before the expiration of the time limit stated in
Subsection A of this section and the personal representative failed to require the payee
to give adequate security for the refund of any of the payment necessary to pay other
claimants; or
(2)
payment was made, due to negligence or willful fault of the personal
representative, in such manner as to deprive the injured claimant of priority.