The attorney at law appointed to represent an absent heir or legatee may be relieved by the court of his trust for any lawful reason, shall be removed by the court for nonperformance of duty, and his office shall terminate when the absent heir or legatee by proper pleading advises the court of his appointment of an attorney in fact, or of the selection of his own counsel.

If the attorney appointed to represent an absent heir or legatee, as provided in Article 3171, is removed, resigns, or dies, the court may appoint another attorney at law to succeed him.