KRS 396.155: Payment of encumbrances.

If any assets of the estate are encumbered by mortgage, pledge, lien, or secured interest,

the personal representative may pay the encumbrance or any part thereof, renew or extend

any obligation secured by the encumbrance or convey or transfer the assets to the creditor

in satisfaction of his lien, in whole or in part, whether or not the holder of the

encumbrance has presented a claim, if it appears to be for the best interest of the estate.

Payment of an encumbrance does not increase the share of the distr ibutee entitled to the

encumbered assets unless the distributee is entitled to exoneration.