(1) Upon receipt of an application for informal appointment of a personal representative, other than a special personal representative as provided in section 3614, and after making the determinations required by section 3308, the register shall appoint the person whose appointment is sought subject to qualification and acceptance. If the decedent was a nonresident, the register shall delay the order of appointment until 28 days after the death unless the personal representative appointed at the decedent's domicile is the applicant or unless the decedent's will directs that the estate be subject to the laws of this state.

    (2) The personal representative's status and the powers and duties pertaining to the office are fully established by informal appointment. An appointment, and the office of personal representative created by the appointment, is subject to termination as provided in sections 3608 to 3612, but is not subject to retroactive vacation.