After the death of a defendant and before a decree of insolvency on his estate, the executor or administrator may demand of the attaching officer a certified copy of his return on the writ of attachment, with a description of the property attached, so that it may be described in the inventory of the estate subject to the attachment, and the appraisers may demand a view thereof so as to appraise it. If the officer fails to comply with either demand, he forfeits to the executor or administrator not less than $10 nor more than $30.