(1) Upon the filing of such claim of exemption, the court of record shall set a time for the hearing of such claim of exemption, which shall not be less than seven days nor more than fourteen days thereafter. A written notice of the time and place of such hearing shall be given by the defendant or his or her attorney to the officer who made such levy or seizure, and to the plaintiff in said action or his or her attorney of record, by leaving a copy of such notice with said officer or his deputy at his office and by leaving a copy thereof with the plaintiff or his or her attorney of record, or notice may be given to the plaintiff by mailing a copy of such notice of hearing to the attorney of record of the plaintiff at least seven days in advance of date set for the hearing.

(2) The affidavit of the defendant or his attorney that service of notice of such hearing has been made in the manner and form stated, attached to the original notice, shall constitute prima facie evidence of such service, and such affidavit of service filed with the clerk of the court is sufficient return of such service. Such hearing may be continued from time to time in the discretion of the court. In case of the absence of the district judge from the county in which said claim of exemption has been filed with the clerk of the district court or in case of other inability of the district judge to act, the county judge of such county if possessing the qualifications of a district judge in cases of claims for exemption arising therein may set the time of hearing and hear and determine such claims, sitting as a judge of the district court, and his judgment, findings, or orders entered therein shall be of the same force and effect as though made by the district judge.