As soon as the personal representative is possessed of sufficient means over and above the other costs of administration, the personal representative shall pay any allowance made by the court for the surviving spouse and children of the decedent, and may pay the expenses of funeral, burial, and last illness. Prior to the expiration of four months after the date of the second publication of notice to creditors, the personal representative shall pay other debts and charges against the estate as the court orders, and the court may require bond or other security to be given by the creditor to refund such part of the payment as may be necessary to make payment in accordance with this probate code. All payments made by the personal representative without order of court are at the personal representative’s own peril.