Deposits or shares standing in the name of a deceased depositor or shareholder shall, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, be paid to his legal representative; provided, however, that if the total of such deposits and shares does not exceed three thousand dollars and there has been no demand for payment by a duly appointed executor or administrator, payment may be made at the discretion of a duly authorized officer of the corporation after the expiration of sixty days from the death of such depositor or shareholder to the surviving spouse or next of kin of such deceased upon presentation of a copy of the death certificate and the surrender of the passbook, if any, evidencing such deposits or shares. Payments made as provided in this section shall discharge the liability of the corporation to all persons to the extent of such payments.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 171, § 42