Every probate judge who has retired pursuant to this article may, on the request of the Chief Justice, be called to active duty status as a probate judge.
Such retired probate judge shall be entitled to receive from the county in which he is serving reimbursement for all reasonable and necessary expenses, including travel, incurred in the performance of such active duty.
Such active duty status shall be terminated by the appointment of a person to fill the vacancy occupied by such retired probate judge or by an order of the appointing authority.
Ala. Code § 12-18-88 (1975)