Probate Glossary
Priority Claim
A claim that may be paid before other estate debts.
Definition
A priority claim is a debt or expense that may have a higher payment priority under state law, such as administration expenses, funeral expenses, taxes, or certain protected claims.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a priority claim?
A priority claim is a debt or expense that may have a higher legal priority for payment from estate assets. Examples may include administration expenses, funeral expenses, taxes, or other protected claims depending on state law.
Do creditors get paid before beneficiaries?
In many probate estates, valid debts, expenses, taxes, and creditor claims must be handled before beneficiaries receive final distributions. Exact payment priority depends on state law and the type of claim.