What debts of a decedent take priority?

3B:22-2. If the applicable assets of the estate are insufficient to pay all claims in full, the personal representative shall make payment in the following order:

a. Reasonable funeral expenses;

b. Costs and expenses of administration;

c. Debts for the reasonable value of services rendered to the decedent by the Office of the Public Guardian for Elderly Adults;

d. Debts and taxes with preference under federal law or the laws of this State;

e. Reasonable medical and hospital expenses of the last illness of the decedent, including compensation of persons attending him;

f. Judgments entered against the decedent according to the priorities of their entries respectively;

g. All other claims.

No preference shall be given in the payment of any claim over any other claim of the same class, and a claim due and payable shall not be entitled to a preference over claims not due. The commencement of an action against the personal representative for the recovery of a debt or claim or the entry of a judgment thereon against the personal representative shall not entitle such debt or claim to preference over others of the same class.

Amended 1989, c.248, s.8; 2004, c.132, s.82; 2005, c.304, s.47.

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1. Do I need an attorney for this process?
2. If there is no will, then who gets what?
3. What do I do with a vehicle registered only in the decedent's name?
4. What does it mean for a will to be self-proving? What happens if the will is not self-proving?
5. The decedent hasn't spoken to closest next of kin for years. Do I still have to tell the Surrogate's Court about them?
6. What are my duties as executor or administrator?
7. Who is considered next of kin?
8. Am I personally responsible as executor/administrator for the decedent's debts?
9. What if there's not enough money in the estate to pay all debts?
10. What debts of a decedent take priority?
11. What happens if assets were left to a minor?
12. I don't think the executor or administrator is doing their job properly; what can I do?
13. The decedent is still getting social security checks. Should I call someone about this?
14. I have tax questions. Who do I contact?
15. What do I need to transfer a vehicle title?
16. Do I need to come to the Surrogate's Court if the only asset is a vehicle titled to my deceased spouse AND myself?
17. Can I obtain additional / updated estate certificates?
18. How do I obtain an EIN / Tax ID number?
19. I need to obtain a bond. Where can I get one?
20. What effect does a divorce have on a will?
21. What if I don't want my inheritance? How do I disclaim?
22. Who becomes the guardian of orphaned minors if there is no will?
23. How do I file a claim against an estate?
24. Do all states have the same probate laws?
25. What is the commission for being the representative of an estate?
26. What if the decedent died in another country?