Massachusetts § 12 - Attachment of special deposit; execution; notice of claim; payment of fines and penalties

Full text of Massachusetts Massachusetts General Laws § 12 — Attachment of special deposit; execution; notice of claim; payment of fines and penalties, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 12. Attachment of special deposit; execution; notice of claim; payment of fines and penalties

Section 12. Each deposit made with the deputy director shall, during the term of the licensee's license and for sixty days after the return or surrender thereof or the filing of an affidavit of its loss, be subject to attachment and execution in behalf of any creditor of the licensee whose claim arises in connection with the business done under his state license and who gives notice of such claim to the deputy director during such period, and the deputy director may be held to answer as trustee, under the trustee process, in any civil action in contract or tort brought against said licensee for such claim and shall pay over upon execution such amount of money as he may be chargeable with upon his answer. Said deposit shall also be subject to the payment of any fine or penalty imposed on the licensee for violation of any provision of the eleven preceding sections; provided, that written notice of the name of said licensee and of the amount of such fine or penalty is given during such period to the deputy director by the clerk of the court in which, or the trial justice by whom, such fine or penalty was imposed. No payment of any part of said deposit shall be made to the licensee unless so much thereof is retained as is required to discharge all claims, fines and penalties of which notices have been given to the deputy director as herein provided and which remain undecided or unpaid. Upon the giving of notice as herein provided, a bond given in lieu of such deposit may be put in suit by any such creditor to recover the amount of such claim or by any such clerk of court or trial justice to recover the amount of such fine or penalty. If the licensee has made a deposit, the deputy director shall, until said deposit is exhausted, pay or make provision for the payment of all such claims, fines and penalties in the order in which notices thereof were received by him. If the licensee has given a bond, the order in which persons entitled to all such claims, fines and penalties shall recover on the bond shall, until the penal sum of the bond is exhausted, be determined by the order in which notices thereof were received by the deputy director.

Source: official Massachusetts text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts § 12

What does Massachusetts General Laws § 12 cover?

Section 12 ("Attachment of special deposit; execution; notice of claim; payment of fines and penalties") is part of the Massachusetts General Laws, the codified statutory law of Massachusetts. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Massachusetts § 12?

A common citation format is "Massachusetts General Laws § 12" (Massachusetts). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Massachusetts law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Massachusetts official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney.

How does Massachusetts § 12 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Massachusetts can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Massachusetts.