If the commissioners, after making a sale in accordance with the preceding section, distribute the proceeds in accordance with the order or decree of the court before learning of any conveyance, mortgage, lien or other encumbrance of or upon the share of any of the joint owners, they shall not be liable to such claimant. If they are in doubt as to the existence or the validity of any such claim against the share of any co-tenant in the proceeds they may ask for instructions by the court.
Massachusetts Legal Code