Signing of petition.

A guardian, conservator or personal representative of an estate, who is appointed as such under the laws of this state, and who, as such guardian, conservator or personal representative, is entitled to the possession of the lands belonging to the estate which he represents may, on behalf of his ward or the estate he represents, upon being thereunto authorized by the proper court, sign and acknowledge the petition in this act [73-1-1 to 73-1-13 and 73-1-16 to 73-1-23 NMSA 1978] mentioned, and may act in respect to the said lands to the same extent, and in the same manner, as a private owner might act.