Section 877.06 - Prosecution and defense of actions by personal representatives; setoff of claims against decedent; judgments, how appealed and paid(1) A personal representative may commence and prosecute an action and may prosecute any action commenced by his or her predecessor or decedent for the recovery of any claim or cause of action that survived and may have execution on any judgment. In the action the defendant may set off any claim pleadable as a counterclaim that he or she may have against the decedent, instead of presenting it to the court. If judgment is rendered in favor of the defendant the claim shall be certified to the circuit court and paid as other claims allowed against the estate.(2) A successor personal representative may bring a writ of error or appeal upon any judgment against his or her predecessor or the decedent and shall defend any writ of error or appeal brought upon any judgment against his or her predecessor or the decedent. The successor personal representative shall have the same remedies in the prosecution or defense of any action by or against his or her predecessor or the decedent and in the collection and enforcement of any judgment as his or her predecessor or the decedent had.1977 c. 449; 1979 c. 32 s. 55; 1979 c. 176; Stats. 1979 s. 777.06; 2001 a. 102 s. 103; Stats. 2001 s. 877.06.