My wife's parents both passed away at the same time in Texas. The Probate Court is processing both wills and therefore two separate estates. All of their property is either joint or was purchased with joint funds/assets. Our Probate Lawyer has advised that the Executor can actually execute the distribution of assets as if it is one estate (except for those accounts such as IRA's which will be divided by estate and then beneficiaries). Each of their estates will have some capital gains, some interest and some dividends in excess of the minimum required to file a return.

How does one go about handling their taxes for this calendar year? Do I obtain two EIN's for them and process their estate income for the year at one half for each of them? Could I process one return as a joint estate return? Form 1041 does not seem to provide for this option....

Thanks in advance for any insight, advice and direction.