<prompt> Human: I am expecting to receive a large sum of money under 100,000 from my parents death. Once I deposit this check into my own account, will I have to worry about taxes on that money? I am in the state of California. There was no will. Legally, there is no executor, but I am the child who has been mostly taking care of things due to location. I will be splitting this money with other siblings, but I am the one who is splitting it. Thank you in advance. Edit: we have a lawyer, and everything is above board. Her estate is a small estate. Lawyer and bank have told me that what we siblings are doing is correct. We are just wondering about taxes if one sibling takes the amount, and then distributes it evenly.  <response>: If your parent died intestate without a will why would the estate pay only you the money? After the estate is probated checks legally should go to each child according to the laws of the state of California covering intestate deaths. Its not optional. You must do it according to the laws of the state the deceased lived in. 