(a) The sheriff shall examine each application made under section 2 of this chapter. If the sheriff finds that the application:
(1) is executed in proper form; and
(2) shows that the motor vehicle described in the application has been abandoned upon the property of the person making the application or that the person making the application is the person who owns the motor vehicle;
the sheriff shall prepare a written notice.
(b) The notice required under subsection (a) must include the following information:
(1) The name and address of the applicant.
(2) The year, make, model, and engine number of the motor vehicle, if ascertainable, together with any other identifying features of the motor vehicle.
(3) That the motor vehicle has been abandoned, that the title to the motor vehicle is lost or destroyed, or that there is a defect of the title in the person who owns the motor vehicle.
(4) That the motor vehicle will be sold for scrap metal unless a claim or protest is made.
(c) The sheriff shall, within five (5) days after receiving an application required under section 2 of this chapter, cause the notice required under subsection (a) to be distributed as follows:
(1) Posted at the door of the courthouse for a period of thirty (30) days before sale.
(2) Published once in a newspaper of general circulation of the county in which the motor vehicle is located at least thirty (30) days before sale.
(3) Sent to the last person who owned the motor vehicle, if known.