The proceedings shall be conducted as other suits in the chancery court; and, if determined in favor of the state, the court shall decree the property escheated to the state, and thereby the state shall be seized and possessed of the property in law and in fact; but no final decree shall be rendered therein within less than twelve (12) months from the commencement of the suit. The successor of the escheator who filed the bill may appear and conduct the suit without revivor or alteration of the pleadings.