(a) Any individual claiming to be an heir or any person in any way interested as a distributee in any property under the laws of intestacy may apply to either the probate court or the superior court specified in Code Section 53-2-20 to have the claim of heirship and quantity of interest established. The petition in such a case shall contain the same averments as to all parties in interest required of persons filing under Code Section 53-2-21 with the person charged with the duty of distribution being named as a party.

(b) With respect to the estate of a decedent who is an obligor within the meaning of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (17) of Code Section 19-11-101, an individual who is an obligee within the meaning of subparagraph (C) of paragraph (16) of Code Section 19-11-101 is a party in interest who may file a petition for determination of heirship under subsection (a) of this Code section.