(a) When the issue is determined in favor of the plaintiff, or if the person interested defaults, the court shall render judgment that partition be made and appoint three disinterested residents of the county as commissioners. The commissioners shall make partition of the estate and set off each share of the several persons interested, according to their respective titles, and shall award to the plaintiff reasonable costs against the adverse party.

(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, the parties may, with the approval of the court, waive the use of commissioners and have all matters decided by the court at a bench trial. (Amended 1971, No. 185 (Adj. Sess.), § 150, eff. March 29, 1972; 2019, No. 40, § 2.)