Administration of estates by Consular Officers

(1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, where any subject or citizen of any State mentioned in the first column of the Schedule to this Act, (a) dies within Belize; or (b) dies outside Belize leaving property within Belize, and no person is present in Belize at the time of his death who is rightfully entitled to administer the estate of such deceased person, the Consul, Vice-Consul or Consular Agent of such State within Belize may take possession and have the custody 6 of the property of such deceased person, and may apply the same in payment of his debts and funeral expenses, and may retain the surplus for the benefit of the persons entitled thereto. (2) Such Consul, Vice-Consul or Consular Agent shall immediately apply for and shall be entitled to obtain from the court, letters of administration of the property of such deceased person, limited in such manner and for such time as to the court shall deem fit.