Sec. 12. (a) When any person legally bound to make a conveyance or lease dies before making the same, the court, with or without notice, may direct the personal representative to make the conveyance or lease to the person entitled thereto. A petition for this purpose may be made by any person claiming to be entitled to such conveyance or lease, or by the personal representative, or by any other person interested in the estate or claiming an interest in the real property or contract, and shall show the description of the land and the facts upon which such claim for conveyance or lease is based. Upon satisfactory proofs the court may order the personal representative to execute and deliver an instrument of conveyance or lease to the person entitled thereto upon performance of the contract. A certified copy of the order may be recorded with the deed of conveyance or lease in the office of the recorder of the county where the land lies, and shall be prima facie evidence of the due appointment and qualification of the personal representative, the correctness of the proceedings and the authority of the personal representative.

     (b) If a personal representative has been given power by will to make a conveyance or lease, he may, in lieu of the foregoing procedure, and without order of the court, execute a conveyance or lease, pursuant to and in accordance with such power, to the person entitled thereto upon performance of the contract. A certified copy of the will and a certified copy of the personal representative’s letters may be recorded with the deed of conveyance or lease in the office of the recorder of the county where the land lies, and shall be prima facie evidence of the due appointment and qualification of the personal representative and his authority to execute the deed of conveyance or lease.

     (c) If the contract for a lease or conveyance requires the giving of warranties, the deed or lease to be given by the personal representative shall contain the warranties required. Such warranties shall be binding on the estate as though made by the decedent but shall not bind the personal representative personally.

Formerly: Acts 1953, c.112, s.1312.