The Estate assets (the deceased's home, car, savings, etc.) must be used to pay for all debts in the deceased's name alone. The debts must be paid before any inheritance is paid out. The grandchildren do not need to use their own money to pay a debt that is not in their name.
The court will look at the Will to determine if an alternate executor is named. If not, then the state probably has a list of people, in order, who should be named as administrator of the estate. Relationship to the deceased executor is irrelevant.
Certainly. Anyone can be named an executor of an estate, whether related to the deceased or not.
They have the right to make a claim against the estate. Like other debtors, the executor has to settle their claims. If there are not enough assets, some of the debtors will not receive all of their money.
If your grandmother is still living, you can't. If she is deceased, the executor of the will is required to notify you if you are in the will. If there is no will, and your parents are deceased, then you should contact the probate court and/or executor.
The executor of the estate.
either by the deceased in the will or by the probate judge
Contact a valid executor to the will.
That is their responsibility.
They follow the instructions of the deceased has laid out in their will.
It is the person named by the deceased (prior to their death, of course) in their will to carry out the provisions of the deceased's will. The executor must be appointed by the probate court in order to have any legal authority.
If there is a will, the executor makes all mortgage payments from the estate of the deceased.
The executor of the estate files the tax return for the deceased.