(a) All claims against the district existing at the time of the merger of the district shall be presented to the board of directors duly itemized and verified as is required in actions of account. If not presented to the board of directors of the district within six (6) months from the date of the effectiveness of the merger, the claims shall forever be barred.
(b)
(1) Within ten (10) days from the allowance or disallowance of any claim presented, the claim shall be filed by the board in the county court with an endorsement thereon as their allowance or disallowance of the same, and within thirty (30) days from the filing of the claim or account in the county court, the county court shall make its order either approving, rejecting, or modifying the actions of the board with reference to any such indebtedness.
(2) Within the time allowed by law for appeal from orders of the county court, either the district, any landowner in the district, or any party claiming to be a creditor of the district may either appeal from the order of the county court to the circuit court or may institute an action against the district in any court of competent jurisdiction for the determination of the existence and amount of the claim.