(a) If, upon the hearing of the application referred to in section 451 of this title, it appears that the estate is but little in debt, the court may, in its discretion, grant the petition or some part thereof upon the condition that the applicant file with the court within a time in the order specified, an undertaking, with one or more sufficient sureties, for the benefit of whom it may concern, in sum double the value of such real property, legacy, or distributive share, to be void upon the condition that such heir, legatee, or devisee will pay, when required, his portion toward satisfying any claim against the estate.
(b) The sureties in such undertaking shall have the same qualifications as sureties in bail upon arrest, and shall justify in like manner. The costs of the proceeding shall be paid by the applicant.