(a) Upon receipt of an application for informal appointment of a personal representative other than a special administrator as provided in § 62-3-614, the court, after making the findings required by § 62-3-308, shall appoint the applicant subject to qualification and acceptance; provided, that if the decedent was a nonresident, the court shall delay the order of appointment until thirty days have elapsed since death unless the personal representative appointed at the decedent’s domicile is the applicant, or unless the decedent’s will directs that his estate be subject to the laws of this State.

(b) The status of a personal representative and the powers and duties pertaining to the office are fully established by informal appointment. An appointment, and the office of personal representative created thereby, is subject to termination as provided in §§ 62-3-608 through 62-3-612, but is not subject to retroactive vacation.