Can creditors waive their rights to an intestate succession?

In Massachusetts, creditors cannot waive their rights to an intestate succession. Intestate succession is the process by which the state distributes the estate of a deceased person who did not have a valid will. In Massachusetts, a creditor’s rights to an intestate succession are determined by statute. Creditors of a deceased person in Massachusetts must wait until all other claims have been paid before they can be compensated for their debt. This means that the remainder of the estate left after paying off other claims is the only money available for creditors to receive. Since creditors cannot waive their interest in the estate, they are entitled to a share of whatever is left after all other claims have been paid. The Massachusetts Probate and Family Court is tasked with evaluating all claims against an estate and determining which claims should be paid first. The priority is typically given to unpaid taxes, funeral expenses, and medical bills, followed by the decedent’s surviving spouse or children, and finally creditors. In cases where there are no surviving family members, the state of Massachusetts can take the estate as a “general creditor” if all other claims have gone unpaid. In summary, creditors in Massachusetts cannot waive their rights to an intestate succession. The court is responsible for evaluating all claims and giving priority to certain claims as outlined by statute. The remainder of the estate then goes to creditors after all other claims have been paid.

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