A surviving spouse shall be entitled to administer upon the community property, notwithstanding any provisions of the will to the contrary, if the court find such spouse to be otherwise qualified; but if such surviving spouse do not make application for such appointment within forty days immediately following the death of the deceased spouse, he or she shall be considered as having waived his or her right to administer upon such community property. If any person, other than the surviving spouse, make application for letters testamentary on such property, prior to the expiration of such forty days, then the court, before making any such appointment, shall require notice of such application to be given the said surviving spouse, for such time and in such manner as the court may determine, unless such applicant show to the satisfaction of the court that there is no surviving spouse or that he or she has in writing waived the right to administer upon such community property.

[1965 c 145 § 11.28.030. Prior: 1917 c 156 § 49; RRS § 1419.]