Section 5. An executor or administrator with respect to personal property or a guardian, conservator or trustee with respect to real and personal property shall account for such property at its appraised value, but he shall make no profit by the increase nor sustain any loss by the decrease or destruction of any part thereof without his fault. If he sells any of such property for more than its appraised value, he shall account for the excess; if he sells for less than its appraised value, he shall be allowed for the loss if the court finds that the sale was expedient, and for the interest of all concerned; and he shall not be accountable for a debt inventoried as due to the estate if the court finds that it remains uncollected without his fault.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations
Section 3 - Examination on Oath
Section 4 - Securities and Moneys; Requirement of Production
Section 5 - Property; Accounting; Profits or Losses
Section 6 - Property Subject to Accountings
Section 8 - Income From Realty; Accounting; Manner
Section 9 - Mortgaged Realty; Manner of Accounting; Right of Entry
Section 10 - Mortgaged Realty; Redemption; Release
Section 11 - Realty Taken by Executor or Administrator on Execution; Personal Assets
Section 12 - Realty Held in Mortgage or on Execution; Manner of Sale
Section 13 - Realty Held in Mortgage or on Execution; Disposition
Section 14 - Burial Lot and Monument; Allowance
Section 15 - Perpetual Care; Costs
Section 17 - Expense of Procuring Surety Chargeable on Estate