In an action against a personal representative in that person's representative capacity, the judgment shall generally be de bonis testatoris. However, when the personal representative unsuccessfully makes any of the defenses described in Code Section 53-7-10 or a release, the judgment shall be that the plaintiff recover both the debt and costs, to be first levied on the property of the decedent, if found, and if such property is not found, then to be levied on the property of the defendant personal representative.
(Code 1981, §53-7-21, enacted by Ga. L. 1996, p. 504, § 10.)