(a) If any party to the condemnation notifies the judge of the probate court of the county where the property or interest is located that the owner of the property has failed to select an assessor, or that the owners or their representatives have failed to agree on an assessor, or that the owner is unknown, or that the owner or any one of the owners is a minor or otherwise under disability and without legal representative, the judge of the probate court shall select an assessor for such owners or representatives. If the judge of the probate court is disqualified, the clerk of the superior court of the county shall make the selection after like notice.

(b) All persons having any interest in the property sought to be condemned shall have equal rights in the selection of an assessor.