27-18-412. Interest of defendant in decedent's estate. The interest of a defendant in personal property belonging to the estate of a decedent, whether as heir, legatee, or devisee, may be attached by serving the personal representative of the decedent with a copy of the writ and a notice that the interest is attached. The attachment may not impair the powers of the representative over the property for the purposes of administration. A copy of the writ of attachment and of the notice must also be filed in the office of the clerk of the court in which the estate is being administered, and the personal representative shall report the attachment to the court when any petition for distribution is filed. In the decree made upon the petition, distribution must be ordered to the heir, legatee, or devisee, but delivery of the property must be ordered to the officer making the levy, subject to the claim of the heir, legatee, or devisee or any person claiming under the heir, legatee, or devisee. The property may not be delivered to the officer making the levy until the decree distributing the interest has become final.