SECTION 33-25-3

   § 33-25-3  Life estate precedence. –The life estates provided in this chapter shall take effect notwithstanding anyprovisions of the will of the decedent, except as provided in § 33-25-4,and shall take precedence over any claims of creditors of the decedent ordecedent's estate, except claims secured by lien or any form of encumbrance onthe real estate.