New Jersey Statutes Appendix - Former Title 3A Administration of Estates Decedents and Others 3A § 24-6

Within 3 months after the presentation to him of a claim, the executor or administrator shall allow or dispute it or allow it in part and dispute it in part, and give notice in writing to the creditor, his agent or attorney, of that which he allows or disputes.

Within 3 months after receiving notice that a claim or a part of it has been disputed, the creditor shall commence an action to recover on the claim or so much of it as is disputed; otherwise the executor or administrator shall not be liable to the creditor with respect to any assets which he may have delivered or paid in satisfaction of any lawful claims, legacies or distributive shares before the commencement of such an action.