(a) In all cases where the principal administration is in this State, the Probate Division of the Superior Court shall appoint an executor or administrator who is not domiciled in this State only at the discretion of the court.

(b) Any nonresident estate fiduciary shall forthwith designate in writing a resident of this State who accepts appointment as the resident agent of the nonresident estate fiduciary and agrees to accept service of legal process and other communications on behalf of the executor or administrator. The appointment and acceptance shall be filed with the court. Service of legal process against the nonresident executor or administrator may be accomplished by serving the resident agent. (Amended 1959, No. 262, § 30, eff. June 11, 1959; 1985, No. 144 (Adj. Sess.), § 36; 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 238a, eff. Feb. 1, 2011; 2017, No. 195 (Adj. Sess.), § 5.)