In all proceedings brought for the administration of the estate of any person who dies intestate, or for the probate of the will of any person who shall die testate, or for the adjudication of the fact of the death of any life tenant or joint tenant of real estate, where such person shall have been in the military, naval or maritime service of the United States at the time of death, the official notice of death issued by or received from the United States Government or any department thereof, shall be admissible in evidence in such proceedings, and shall be prima facie evidence of the fact of death. Provided, however, that no decree distributing the estate of such deceased person in either administration proceedings or under the provisions of any will of such decedent, shall be entered until a period of two (2) years shall elapse from the reported death of such decedent.
Laws 1945, p. 188, § 1.