(a) If after the hearing, the court is satisfied that said person is, in fact, an absentee in military service as defined in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28B-1 and that it is necessary that a receiver be appointed, he shall appoint a receiver of the estate and property of said absentee in military service under the supervision and subject to the further orders of the court.

(b) In the appointment of a receiver, the court shall give due consideration to the appointment of the spouse or one of the next of kin of the absentee in military service if such spouse or next of kin  is a fit and proper person and is qualified to act. (1973, c. 522, s.  4.)