Section 17. If the total value of an estate which has come into the control of a public administrator is less than seven hundred dollars, unless the same is the balance of an estate received from a prior public administrator, he shall forthwith reduce all such property into money, not taking administration thereon, and deposit it, after payment of any outstanding funeral expenses and after deducting his reasonable expenses and charges, with the state treasurer, who shall hold it for the benefit of any other persons who may have legal claims thereon. Such claims may be presented to the comptroller within one year from such payment to the treasurer, and the comptroller shall examine such claims and allow such as may be proved to his satisfaction, and upon the expiration of the year shall forthwith certify the same to the governor and council for payment of the whole of the claims or such proportion thereof as the funds will allow.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations
Chapter 194 - Public Administrators
Section 1 - Appointment; Number; Term
Section 2 - Bond; Form; Conditions
Section 5 - Instances When Public Administrator Should Not Act
Section 5a - Waiting Period Before Administration
Section 6 - Compensation for Services of Person Taking Out Citation
Section 7 - Change After Grant of Letters to Public Administrator
Section 8 - Death, Resignation or Removal of Public Administrator
Section 9 - Powers Relating to Real Property
Section 10 - Unclaimed Balance of Estate; Deposit With Treasurer
Section 11 - Annual Accounts; Failure to Deposit Remaining Money With Treasurer on Final Settlement
Section 12 - Accounting to Successor Administrator or Executor
Section 13 - Administration of Pending Estates at Expiration of Administrator's Term
Section 16 - Action by District Attorney to Insure Prompt and Faithful Administration
Section 17 - Estates of Less Than $700
Section 18 - Exemption From Responsibility of Estates of Less Than $700