Other valid claims.

If a person has a valid claim against property of the decedent that would have a higher priority under s. 859.25 (1) if the property were subject to administration than the department would have under s. 859.25 (1) (e) and the person demands payment in writing within one year of the date on which the property was transmitted to the department, the department shall pay to the person the value of the property collected under sub. (3) or the amount of the claim, whichever is less. The department may authorize any person who possesses property of the decedent to honor higher priority claims with the decedent’s property before transmitting property to the department.