(a) Administration of an intestate's estate must be granted to one of the persons herein named if the person is willing to accept and satisfactory to serve in the following order:
(1) The husband or widow.
(2) The next of kin entitled to share in the distribution of the estate.
(3) The largest creditor of the estate residing in this state.
(4) Any other person as the judge of probate may appoint.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, in all counties having a population of 400,000 or more, according to the last or any subsequent federal census, or in any county having an elected general or county administrator, administration of an intestate's estate must be granted to some one of the persons hereinafter named, if willing to accept and satisfactory to serve, in the following order:
(1) The husband or widow.
(2) The next of kin entitled to share in the distribution of the estate.
(3) The largest creditor of the estate residing in this state.
(4) The county or general administrator.
(5) Any other person as the judge of probate may appoint.
Last modified: May 3, 2021