N.J.S.A. § 54:35-6. — Deduction or collection of tax prior to distribution

Any executor, administrator or trustee having a legacy or property in charge or trust for distribution shall deduct the tax therefrom, unless the legacy or property be not money, in which event the executor, administrator or trustee shall collect the tax thereon upon the appraised value thereof from the legatee or person entitled to the property, and he shall not deliver or be compelled to deliver any such legacy or property to any person until he has collected such tax.

If a legacy is charged upon or payable out of real estate, the heir or devisee, before paying the legacy, shall deduct the tax therefrom and pay such tax to the executor, administrator or trustee, and the payment thereof shall be enforced by the executor, administrator or trustee in the same manner as the payment of such legacy might be enforced.

If a legacy is given in money to a person for a limited period, the executor, administrator or trustee shall retain the tax upon the whole amount, but, if not in money, he shall, if the case require it, apply to the court having jurisdiction of his accounts to make an apportionment of the sum to be paid into his hands by the legatees, and for such further order relative thereto as may be necessary.