No payment shall be made to creditors of any one class until all those of the preceding class or classes shall be fully paid; and when the assets are not sufficient to pay all the creditors of any one class, the creditors of such class shall be paid ratably; but a personal representative who, after six months from his qualification, pays a debt of his decedent, shall not thereby be personally liable for any debt or demand against the decedent of equal or superior dignity, whether it be of record or not, unless before such payment he shall have notice of such debt or demand by action, suit or presentation thereof to the fiduciary commissioner within the time allowed by law.
Structure West Virginia Code
Chapter 44. Administration of Estates and Trusts
Article 2. Proof and Allowance of Claims Against Estates of Decedents
§44-2-1. Reference of Decedents’ Estates; Proceedings Thereon
§44-2-4. Mailing of Notice to Creditors, Distributees and Legatees
§44-2-5. Claims to Be Proved by Vouchers and Affidavits in First Instance
§44-2-6. Claims Taken to Be Proved; Objections to Claims; Hearings; Funeral Expenses
§44-2-7. Claims May Be Presented Before Publication of Notice
§44-2-8. Proof of Contingent or Unliquidated Claims
§44-2-9. Continuances Until All Claims and Objections Passed On
§44-2-10. Personal Representative to Exhibit Offsets to Claims
§44-2-11. How Heir or Devisee May Protect Himself Against Lien on Property
§44-2-12. No Claim Barred by Statute of Limitations to Be Allowed
§44-2-13. Effect of Presenting Claim as to Statute of Limitations
§44-2-14. Advance Payment of Certain Claims
§44-2-17. How Contingent and Unliquidated Claims and Claims Not Matured May Be Provided For
§44-2-18. Exceptions to Fiduciary Commissioner’s Report; Return of Report
§44-2-19. Hearing on Report and Exceptions; Appeal; Effect of Confirmation
§44-2-19a. Reports of Delinquent Filings and Administrative Closing of Unprogressed Estates
§44-2-20. Report of Claims to Be Recorded
§44-2-21. Order in Which Debts of Decedent Are to Be Paid
§44-2-22. Creditors to Be Paid in Order of Classification; When Classes Paid Ratably
§44-2-23. When Personal Representative Not Liable for Funds Distributed
§44-2-24. When Claims and Legacies May Be Paid and Estate Distributed
§44-2-25. When Personal Representative Not Compelled to Make Distribution
§44-2-26. When Claims Not Presented and Proved Barred of Recovery From Personal Representative
§44-2-27. When Distributees and Legatees May Be Sued on Claims; Extent of Liability; Costs