Section 53-9-7. Distribution of assets

   Before a distribution of any of the assets of the estate of a missing person is made to a spouse, child, or other purported heir or beneficiary within the two-year period set out in Code Section 53-9-6, such spouse, child, or other purported heir or beneficiary shall give security, to be approved by the probate court in such sum as the court shall direct but in no case less than the estimated value of the money or property distributed, conditioned that if the missing individual is in fact alive, the person giving security will deliver to the missing individual, on demand by such individual at any time within the two-year period, the assets received by the person giving such security or, if such assets have been transferred to a bona fide purchaser, the consideration received in such transfer, without interest. If any person entitled to receive such assets is unable to give security, the personal representative shall continue to hold such assets until:

   (1) Security is given;

   (2) The court orders the personal representative to deliver the assets to the person; or

   (3) The two-year period has expired,
      whichever occurs first, and in the meantime shall invest the assets in any investment that is authorized by law for personal representatives or that is authorized in the duly probated will of the missing individual and shall pay the income from such investments to the person or persons entitled to such assets quarterly or as otherwise directed by the court.

Code 1981, § 53-9-7, enacted by Ga. L. 1996, p. 504, § 10.