Will proved after letters of administration granted; revocation; pending actions; judgments; accounting; liability

§ 20–354. Will proved after letters of administration granted; revocation; pending actions; judgments; accounting; liability (a) Where administration is granted, and, afterwards, a will disposing of the estate of the deceased is proved according to law, and letters testamentary are issued thereon, the letters testamentary constitute a revocation of the letters of administration. The executor obtaining letters may prosecute civil actions commenced by the administrator and obtain judgment in his own name, and may defend suits commenced against the administrator. The executor shall have the benefit of all judgments obtained by the administrator, and is bound by all judgments obtained against, the administrator to the. extent or assets received by the executor, unless the judgments were obtained by fraud. The administrator, without delay, shall account for and deliver to the executor all personal estate and proceeds of realty sold in his possession, belonging to the deceased, in default of which his bond may be sued upon by the executor or administrator with the will annexed. (b) The administrator may not be held to answer for acts lawfully-done by him, in good faith and in ignorance of the will, before 79 Stat. 709an actual or implied revocation of his letters. When distribution of the estate, or part, of it, has been lawfully made by him, the distributees, and their personal representatives, and not the administrator, are answerable for the property So distributed, or its value, to the persons entitled to it.