Under what condition can accounts of an estate be passed to beneficiaries?

Prepare for the New Brunswick Bar Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The correct response reflects that accounts of an estate can be passed to beneficiaries when there is either a court order or the consent of the beneficiaries involved. This dual condition ensures that there is either a judicial oversight to validate the distribution or an agreement among the beneficiaries, which is significant to prevent disputes and ensure fairness in the estate settlement process.

Having a court order adds an additional layer of legal protection and formality to the distribution of estate accounts, contributing to the transparent and equitable resolution of an estate's affairs. If all beneficiaries consent, it simplifies the process, as they collectively agree on the disbursement of the estate assets.

Other scenarios, such as requiring unanimous consent from all beneficiaries or allowing the personal representative sole discretion to distribute the accounts, would not adequately address situations where there may be disagreements among beneficiaries or the potential for abuse of discretion by the personal representative. Additionally, the request of creditors alone does not suitably govern the passage of estate accounts to beneficiaries, as beneficiaries are prioritized in the distribution after debts are settled, which does not provide a valid mechanism for that transfer.

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