§44-1A-4. Discharge and release of payor; treatment of real estate in a small estate.

(a) Any person paying or delivering a small asset pursuant to the provisions of this article is discharged and released to the same extent as if that person dealt with the personal representative of the decedent. That person is not required to see the application of the small asset or to inquire into the truth of any statement in the affidavit or the certificate and authorization of a small estate presented under this article.

(b) If any person to whom the certificate and authorization of small estate is presented refuses to pay or deliver any small asset to the authorized successor, the small asset may be recovered, or its payment or delivery compelled, and damages may be recovered, on proof of rightful claim in a proceeding brought for that purpose by or on behalf of the person entitled to the small asset in the magistrate court or circuit court of this state having jurisdiction.

(c) For any real estate or interest in real property of the decedent which is reported on the recorded affidavit provided in this article, the provisions of §44-8-5, §41-5-19 and §41-5-20 of this code shall apply, and any will attached to and tendered with the affidavit shall be deemed to be duly admitted to probate. The authorized successor or a successor or creditor of a decedent in a small estate may within six months of the issuance of the certificate and authorization of small estate commence a proceeding in equity before the circuit court under the provisions of §44-8-7 of this code to subject real estate to the payment of debts when the small assets are insufficient for the payment thereof.

(d) Nothing in this article releases or discharges any claim which a creditor may have against the decedent, the decedent’s estate, or the assets of the decedent, and creditors of a small estate have the same rights provided under the provisions of §44-2-27 and §44-3A-33 of this code as against distributees and legatees.