reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MA Gen L ch III § 3-104 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations|Title II - Descent and Distribution, Wills, Estates of Deceased Persons and Absentees, Guardianship, Conservatorship and Trusts|Chapter 190b - Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code|Article III - Probate of Wills and Administration|Section 3-104 - Claims Against Decedent; Necessity of Administration

Section 3–104. [Claims Against Decedent; Necessity of Administration.]  No proceeding to enforce a claim against the estate of a decedent or a decedent's successors may be revived or commenced before the appointment of a personal representative. After the appointment and until distribution, all proceedings and actions to enforce a claim against the estate are governed by the procedure prescribed by this article. After distribution a creditor whose claim has not been barred may recover from the distributees as provided in section 3–1004 or from a former personal representative individually liable as provided in section 3–1005. This section has no application to a proceeding by a secured creditor of the decedent to enforce a right to the security except as to any deficiency judgment which might be sought therein.
MA Gen L ch III § 3-103 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations|Title II - Descent and Distribution, Wills, Estates of Deceased Persons and Absentees, Guardianship, Conservatorship and Trusts|Chapter 190b - Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code|Article III - Probate of Wills and Administration|Section 3-103 - Necessity of Appointment for Administration

Section 3–103. [Necessity of Appointment for Administration.]  Except as otherwise provided in article IV, to acquire the powers and undertake the duties and liabilities of a personal representative of a decedent, a person shall be appointed by order of the court or a magistrate, qualify and be issued letters. Administration of an estate is commenced by the issuance of letters.
MA Gen L ch III § 3-102 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations|Title II - Descent and Distribution, Wills, Estates of Deceased Persons and Absentees, Guardianship, Conservatorship and Trusts|Chapter 190b - Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code|Article III - Probate of Wills and Administration|Section 3-102 - Necessity of Order of Probate for Will

Section 3–102. [Necessity of Order of Probate for Will.]  Except as provided in section 3–1201, to be effective to prove the transfer of any property or to nominate an executor, a will shall be declared to be valid by an order of informal probate by a magistrate or an adjudication of probate by the court, except that a duly executed and unrevoked will which has not been probated may be admitted as evidence of a devise if (1) no court proceeding concerning the succession or administration of the estate has occurred, and (2) either the devisee or the devisee's successors and assigns possessed the property devised in accordance with the provisions of the will, or the property devised was not possessed or claimed by anyone by virtue of the decedent's title during the time period for testacy proceedings.
MA Gen L ch III § 3-101 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations|Title II - Descent and Distribution, Wills, Estates of Deceased Persons and Absentees, Guardianship, Conservatorship and Trusts|Chapter 190b - Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code|Article III - Probate of Wills and Administration|Section 3-101 - Devolution of Estate at Death; Restrictions

Section 3–101. [Devolution of Estate at Death; Restrictions.]  The power of a person to leave property by will, and the rights of creditors, devisees, and heirs to property are subject to the restrictions and limitations contained in this chapter to facilitate the prompt settlement of estates. Upon the death of a person, the decedent's real and personal property devolves to the persons to whom it is devised by the decedent's last will or to those indicated as substitutes for them in cases involving lapse, renunciation, or other circumstances affecting the devolution of testate estate, or in the absence of testamentary disposition, to the decedent's heirs, or to those indicated as substitutes for them in cases involving renunciation or other circumstances affecting devolution of intestate estates, subject to allowances and exempt property, to rights of creditors, elective share of the surviving spouse, and to administration.
MA Gen L ch III § 3-606 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations|Title II - Descent and Distribution, Wills, Estates of Deceased Persons and Absentees, Guardianship, Conservatorship and Trusts|Chapter 190b - Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code|Article III - Probate of Wills and Administration|Section 3-606 - Terms and Conditions of Bonds

Section 3–606. [Terms and Conditions of Bonds.]  (a) The following requirements and provisions shall apply to any bond required by this part:  (1) Bonds shall name the first justice of the court making the appointment and his successors as obligee for the benefit of the persons interested in the estate and shall be conditioned upon the faithful discharge by the fiduciary of all duties according to law.  (2) Unless otherwise provided by the terms of the approved bond, sureties are jointly and severally liable with the personal representative and with each other. The address of sureties shall be stated in the bond.  (3) By executing an approved bond of a personal representative, the surety consents to the jurisdiction of the court which issued letters to the primary obligor in any proceedings pertaining to the fiduciary duties of the personal representative and naming the surety as a party. Notice of any proceeding shall be delivered to the surety or mailed to the surety by registered or certified mail at the address as listed with the court where the bond is filed and to the address as then known to the petitioner.  (4) On petition of a successor personal representative, any other personal representative of the same decedent, or any interested person, a proceeding in the court may be initiated against a surety for breach of the obligation of the bond of the personal representative.  (5) The bond of the personal representative shall not be void after the first recovery but may be proceeded against from time to time until the whole penalty is exhausted.  (6) If a new bond is required, the sureties on the prior bond shall be liable for all breaches of the conditions thereof committed before the new bond is approved and filed.  (7) In no event shall any surety be liable for any claim or cause of action arising out of or in any way connected with acts or omissions of the personal representative occurring prior to the appointment of such person as personal representative. As provided in section 702 of chapter 203E, this section shall also apply to bonds of trustees.  (b) No action or proceeding may be commenced against the surety on any matter as to which an action or proceeding against the primary obligor is barred by adjudication or limitation.
MA Gen L ch III § 3-1006 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations|Title II - Descent and Distribution, Wills, Estates of Deceased Persons and Absentees, Guardianship, Conservatorship and Trusts|Chapter 190b - Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code|Article III - Probate of Wills and Administration|Section 3-1006 - Limitations on Actions and Proceedings Against Distributees

Section 3–1006. [Limitations on Actions and Proceedings Against Distributees.]  Unless previously adjudicated in a formal testacy proceeding or in a proceeding settling the accounts of a personal representative or otherwise barred, the claim of a claimant to recover from a distributee who is liable to pay the claim, and the right of an heir or devisee, or of a successor personal representative acting in their behalf, to recover property improperly distributed or its value from any distributee is forever barred at the later of 3 years after the decedent's death or 1 year after the time of its distribution thereof, but all claims of creditors of the decedent are barred 1 year after the decedent's death. This section shall not bar an action to recover property or value received as a result of fraud.
MA Gen L ch III § 3-1005 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations|Title II - Descent and Distribution, Wills, Estates of Deceased Persons and Absentees, Guardianship, Conservatorship and Trusts|Chapter 190b - Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code|Article III - Probate of Wills and Administration|Section 3-1005 - Limitations on Proceedings Against Personal Representative

Section 3–1005. [Limitations on Proceedings Against Personal Representative.]  Unless previously barred by adjudication and except as provided in the closing statement, the rights of successors and of creditors whose claims have not otherwise been barred against the personal representative for breach of fiduciary duty are barred unless a proceeding to assert the same is commenced within 6 months after the filing of the closing statement. The rights thus barred do not include rights to recover from a personal representative for fraud, misrepresentation, or inadequate disclosure related to the settlement of the decedent's estate.
MA Gen L ch III § 3-1004 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations|Title II - Descent and Distribution, Wills, Estates of Deceased Persons and Absentees, Guardianship, Conservatorship and Trusts|Chapter 190b - Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code|Article III - Probate of Wills and Administration|Section 3-1004 - Liability of Distributees to Claimants

Section 3–1004. [Liability of Distributees to Claimants.]  After assets of an estate have been distributed and subject to Section 3–1006, an undischarged claim not barred may be prosecuted in a proceeding against 1 or more distributees as an improper distribution in accordance with section 3–909.
MA Gen L ch III § 3-1003 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations|Title II - Descent and Distribution, Wills, Estates of Deceased Persons and Absentees, Guardianship, Conservatorship and Trusts|Chapter 190b - Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code|Article III - Probate of Wills and Administration|Section 3-1003 - Closing Estates; by Sworn Statement of Personal Representative

Section 3–1003. [Closing Estates; By Sworn Statement of Personal Representative.]  (a) Unless prohibited by order of the court and except for estates being administered in supervised administration proceedings, a personal representative may close an estate by filing with the court no earlier than 6 months after the date of original appointment of a general personal representative for the estate, a verified statement stating that the personal representatives or a previous personal representative, has:  (1) determined that the time limited for presentation of creditors' claims has expired;  (2) fully administered the estate of the decedent by making payment, settlement, or other disposition of all claims that were presented, expenses of administration and estate, inheritance and other death taxes, except as specified in the statement, and that the assets of the estate have been distributed to the persons entitled. If any claims remain undischarged, the statement shall state whether the personal representative has distributed the estate subject to possible liability with the agreement of the distributees or state in detail other arrangements that have been made to accommodate outstanding liabilities; and  (3) sent a copy of the statement to all distributees of the estate and to all creditors or other claimants of whom the personal representative is aware whose claims are neither paid nor barred and has furnished a full account in writing of the personal representative's administration to the distributees whose interests are affected thereby.  (b) If no proceedings involving the personal representative are pending in the court 1 year after the closing statement is filed, the personal representative's closing statement may not be challenged, except for fraud or manifest error.
MA Gen L ch III § 3-1001 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations|Title II - Descent and Distribution, Wills, Estates of Deceased Persons and Absentees, Guardianship, Conservatorship and Trusts|Chapter 190b - Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code|Article III - Probate of Wills and Administration|Section 3-1001 - Formal Proceedings Terminating Administration; Testate or Intestate; Order of General Protection

Section 3–1001. [Formal Proceedings Terminating Administration; Testate or Intestate; Order of General Protection.]  (a) A personal representative or any interested person may petition for an order of complete settlement of the estate. The personal representative may petition at any time, and any other interested person may petition after 1 year from the appointment of the original personal representative except that no petition under this section may be entertained until the time for presenting claims which arose prior to the death of the decedent has expired. The petition may request the court to determine testacy, if not previously determined, to consider the final account, compel or approve an accounting or distribution or both, to construe any will, determine heirs or adjudicate the final settlement and distribution of the estate. Unless the petition is assented to by all interested parties, notice shall be given in the manner prescribed by section 1–401 by the petitioner to all interested persons.  (b) After the time required for any notice has expired, upon proof of notice, and after any hearing that may be necessary, the court may enter an order or orders, on appropriate conditions, determining the persons entitled to distribution of the estate, and, as circumstances require, approving settlement and directing or approving distribution of the estate and discharging the personal representative from further claim or demand of any interested person. Such discharge shall forever exonerate the personal representative and his sureties from all liability under such decree unless his account is impeached for fraud or manifest error.  (c) If one or more heirs or devisees were omitted as parties in, or were not given notice of, a previous formal testacy proceeding, the court, on proper petition for an order of complete settlement of the estate under this section, and after notice to the omitted or unnotified persons and other interested parties determined to be interested on the assumption that the previous order concerning testacy is conclusive as to those given notice of the earlier proceeding, may determine testacy as it affects the omitted persons and confirm or alter the previous order of testacy as it affects all interested persons as appropriate in the light of the new proofs. In the absence of objection by an omitted or unnotified person, evidence received in the original testacy proceeding shall constitute prima facie proof of due execution of any will previously admitted to probate, or of the fact that the decedent left no valid will if the prior proceedings determined this fact.
MA Gen L ch III § 3-302 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations|Title II - Descent and Distribution, Wills, Estates of Deceased Persons and Absentees, Guardianship, Conservatorship and Trusts|Chapter 190b - Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code|Article III - Probate of Wills and Administration|Section 3-302 - Informal Probate; Duty of Magistrate; Effect of Informal Probate

Section 3–302. Section 3–302. [Informal Probate; Duty of Magistrate; Effect of Informal Probate.]  Upon receipt of a petition requesting informal probate of a will, the court or a magistrate, upon making the findings required by section 3–303 shall issue a written statement of informal probate if at least 7 days have elapsed since the decedent's death. Informal probate is conclusive as to all persons until superseded by an order in a formal testacy proceeding. No defect in the petition or procedure relating thereto which leads to informal probate of a will renders the probate void.
MA Gen L ch III § 3-303 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations|Title II - Descent and Distribution, Wills, Estates of Deceased Persons and Absentees, Guardianship, Conservatorship and Trusts|Chapter 190b - Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code|Article III - Probate of Wills and Administration|Section 3-303 - Informal Probate; Proof and Findings Required

Section 3–303. Section 3–303. [Informal Probate; Proof and Findings Required.]  (a) In an informal proceeding for original probate of a will, the court or a magistrate shall determine whether:  (1) the petition is complete;  (2) the petitioner has made oath or affirmation that the statements contained in the petition are true to the best of the petitioner's knowledge and belief;  (3) the petitioner appears from the petition to be an interested person as defined in section 1–201(24);  (4) on the basis of the statements in the petition, venue is proper;  (5) an original, duly executed and apparently unrevoked will is in the court's possession;  (6) on the basis of the statements in the petition any notice required by section 3–306 has been given and that the petition is not within section 3–304;  (7) it appears from the petition that the time limit for original probate has not expired;  (8) on the basis of statements in the petition, the spouse and heirs are not incapacitated persons or minors; or if they are incapacitated persons or minors they are represented by guardians or conservators; and  (9) a death certificate issued by a public officer is in the court's possession.  (b) The petition shall be denied if it indicates that a personal representative has been appointed in another county of the commonwealth or except as provided in subsection (d) below, if it appears that this or another will of the decedent has been the subject of a previous probate order.  (c) A will which appears to have the required signatures and which contains an attestation clause showing that requirements of execution under section 2–502 have been met shall be probated without further proof. In other cases, a magistrate may assume execution if the will appears to have been properly executed.  (d) Informal probate of a will which has been previously probated in another state or country may be granted at any time upon written petition by any interested person, together with deposit of an authenticated copy of the will and of the statement probating it from the office or court where it was first probated.  (e) A will from a place which does not provide for probate of a will after death and which is not eligible for probate under subsection (a) above, may be probated in the commonwealth upon receipt by the court of a duly authenticated copy of the will and a duly authenticated certificate of its legal custodian that the copy filed is a true copy and that the will has become operative under the law of the other place.
MA Gen L ch III § 3-305 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations|Title II - Descent and Distribution, Wills, Estates of Deceased Persons and Absentees, Guardianship, Conservatorship and Trusts|Chapter 190b - Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code|Article III - Probate of Wills and Administration|Section 3-305 - Informal Probate; Magistrate Not Satisfied

Section 3–305. [Informal Probate; Magistrate Not Satisfied.]  (a) If the magistrate is not satisfied that a will is entitled to be probated in informal proceedings because of failure to meet the requirements of sections 3–303 and 3–304 or any other reason, the magistrate may decline the petition. A declination of informal probate is not an adjudication and shall not preclude formal probate proceedings.  [There is no subsection (b).]
MA Gen L ch III § 3-304 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations|Title II - Descent and Distribution, Wills, Estates of Deceased Persons and Absentees, Guardianship, Conservatorship and Trusts|Chapter 190b - Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code|Article III - Probate of Wills and Administration|Section 3-304 - Informal Probate; Unavailable in Certain Cases

Section 3–304. [Informal Probate; Unavailable in Certain Cases.]  Petitions for informal probate which relate to 1 or more of a known series of testamentary instruments, other than a will and 1 or more codicils thereto, the latest of which does not expressly revoke the earlier, shall be declined.
MA Gen L ch III § 3-604 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations|Title II - Descent and Distribution, Wills, Estates of Deceased Persons and Absentees, Guardianship, Conservatorship and Trusts|Chapter 190b - Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code|Article III - Probate of Wills and Administration|Section 3-604 - Bond With Sureties; Procedure; Reduction

Section 3–604. [Bond With Sureties; Procedure; Reduction.]  (a) If a bond is required and the provisions of the will or order do not specify the amount, unless stated in the petition, the person qualifying shall file a statement under oath with the court indicating the best estimate of the value of the personal estate of the decedent and shall file a bond with the court in an amount equal to the estimate. The court may permit the amount of the bond to be reduced by the value of assets of the estate deposited with a domestic financial institution in a manner that prevents their unauthorized disposition. On petition of the personal representative or another interested person the court may increase or reduce the amount of the bond, release the surety, or permit the substitution of another bond with the same or different surety.  (b) In this section, ''financial institution'' means an organization authorized to do business under state or federal laws relating to financial institutions, and includes a bank, trust company, savings bank, building and loan association, savings and loan company or association, credit union and any corporation authorized to do business as a banking company under chapter 172A.