Section 39. Such suit shall not be discontinued by the plaintiff except by order of the court after notice to other creditors. It shall not abate by reason of the non-joinder of persons liable as defendants, unless the plaintiff, after notice by plea or answer of their existence, unreasonably neglects to make them parties; nor shall it abate by reason of the death of a defendant, but his estate shall be liable in the hands of his executor or administrator, who may voluntarily appear, or who may be summoned by the plaintiff, to defend the suit.

Terms Used In Massachusetts General Laws ch. 156 sec. 39

  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Executor: A male person named in a will to carry out the decedent
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
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