2010 Massachusetts Code
PART II REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS
TITLE II DESCENT AND DISTRIBUTION, WILLS, ESTATES OF DECEASED PERSONS AND ABSENTEES, GUARDIANSHIP, CONSERVATORSHIP AND TRUSTS
CHAPTER 193 APPOINTMENT OF ADMINISTRATORS [Chapter 193 effective until July 1, 2011. Repealed by 2008, 521, Sec. 13. See 2008, 521, Sec. 44.]
Section 4 Limitations upon time of granting of administration

[Text of section effective until July 1, 2011. Repealed by 2008, 521, Sec. 13. See 2008, 521, Sec. 44.]

Section 4. Administration shall not be originally granted after the expiration of fifty years from the death of the testator or intestate, except in cases expressly authorized by law; provided, that if more than twenty years shall have elapsed between the date of death of the decedent and the filing after January first, nineteen hundred and fifty-two, of a petition for administration on his estate the rights of creditors of the decedent and the administrator under license of court or otherwise to deal with real estate of the decedent shall be subject to any rights acquired by conveyance, mortgage or other instrument in writing from or through any heir-at-law of the decedent recorded before the filing of said petition and to any rights established by a court of competent jurisdiction in a proceeding filed before the filing of said petition for administration.