Section 5. In civil proceedings which are not governed by said Massachusetts Rules of Civil Procedure or the District-Municipal Courts Rules of Civil Procedure the death shall be suggested on the record, and the executor or administrator may, within such time as the court shall allow, appear and prosecute or defend the action, which shall thenceforth be conducted in the same manner as if it had been originally commenced by or against the same executor or administrator. If the executor or administrator does not voluntarily appear, the surviving party may take out a citation from the court requiring the executor or administrator to appear and take upon himself the prosecution or defense of the action.
Such citation shall be returnable at such time as the court may order and shall be served fourteen days at least before the return day; but it shall not issue after the expiration of one year from the time such executor or administrator has given bond unless in accordance with section five A.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases
Title II - Actions and Proceedings Therein
Chapter 228 - Survival of Actions and Death and Disabilities of Parties
Section 2 - Death of Party in Suit Against Officer
Section 3 - Judgment for or Against Executor or Administrator of Officer
Section 4 - Death of Sole Plaintiff or Defendant
Section 4a - Substitution of Executor or Administrator
Section 5 - Prosecution or Defense of Actions by Executor or Administrator; Citation
Section 6 - Nonsuit or Default
Section 7 - Death of Joint Plaintiff or Defendant
Section 8 - Prosecution by Devisee or Heir
Section 9 - Death of One of Several Plaintiffs
Section 10 - Prosecution by Survivor
Section 11 - Death of Defendant
Section 13 - Insanity of Party During Pendency of Action
Section 14 - Removal, Resignation or Death of Appointed Public Officer or Trustee