No letters of administration must be granted until the expiration of five days after the death of the intestate is known; and the court may, in all cases, examine the persons applying therefor, on oath, touching the time and place of the death of the intestate and as to whether or not he left any will and other matters necessary to give the court jurisdiction; and may also examine any other witnesses as to the same facts and may compel their attendance for that purpose by subpoena and attachment.
Ala. Code § 43-2-45 (1975)