When the homestead, after being reduced to its lowest practicable area, still exceeds $6,000 in value and no exemption in lieu of homestead has been obtained, the surviving spouse and minor child or children, or either, may retain the possession of the homestead as thus reduced, free from the payment of rent, until the same shall be sold or there is a division of the lands of the decedent; and in the event of a sale of such homestead in the course of administration, it shall be sold separately from the other lands of the decedent, if there be other.