When a ward owes debts at the time of the appointment of his or her guardian, the Probate Division of the Superior Court may allow the guardian a reasonable time, not exceeding one year, to dispose of the estate and collect the demands for the ward and pay such debts. In the discretion of the court, such time may be extended so as not to exceed two years in the whole. (Amended 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 238a, eff. Feb. 1, 2011.)