What does an order for publication mean in a probate case?

It means the court allows serving a missing person by publishing the citation in a newspaper because their whereabouts are unknown.

Who issued this order and for which estate?

Hon. Stephen W. Cass, Surrogate of Chautauqua County, issued the order in the estate of Barbara J. Abbey (File No. 2025-657).

How long will the notice run in the newspaper?

The citation will be published once a week for four consecutive weeks in the Post-Journal.

What should Michael Abbey do if he sees this notice?

He should contact the attorney for the estate, Kristin M. Lee Yaw, Esq., or appear in Surrogate's Court by the return date stated in the citation.

Probate — Jamestown (2025-657)

Official courthouse record · Indexed in NoticeRegistry archive · AI-enriched for research

Intestate

Affects:HeirsGeneral Public

The Surrogate's Court in Chautauqua County ordered publication of a citation in the estate of Barbara J. Abbey because an heir, Michael Abbey, cannot be located. The citation will run in the Post-Journal once weekly for four weeks with first publication at least 28 days before the return date.

Key Takeaways

Publication ordered for missing heir Michael Abbey
Citation to run in the Post-Journal weekly for 4 weeks
First publication at least 28 days before the return date
Filed in Surrogate's Court, Chautauqua County (File No. 2025-657)

Published: May 13, 2026 · 6 days ago
Category: Probate
City: Jamestown
Case #: 2025-657

Research context

7 probate notices in Jamestown (last 12 months)

View full case dossier

All filings for #2025-657 with AI case analysis

If you don't respond

If the missing heir does not appear by the court's return date (after the four weekly publications), the proceeding may continue without their direct notice, and distributions or estate decisions may be made without their input.

What to do next

1
Check publication dates
Verify the Post-Journal issues listed (Apr 29, May 6, 13, 20, 2026) and note the return date after the final publication.
2
Contact the estate attorney
If you are Michael Abbey or know his whereabouts, contact Kristin M. Lee Yaw, Esq., attorney for the estate, to respond before the return date.
3
Appear in Surrogate's Court
If you are the cited heir, appear in Chautauqua County Surrogate's Court by the return date to protect your rights in Estate File No. 2025-657.

Frequently asked questions

What does an order for publication mean in a probate case?: It means the court allows serving a missing person by publishing the citation in a newspaper because their whereabouts are unknown.
Who issued this order and for which estate?: Hon. Stephen W. Cass, Surrogate of Chautauqua County, issued the order in the estate of Barbara J. Abbey (File No. 2025-657).
How long will the notice run in the newspaper?: The citation will be published once a week for four consecutive weeks in the Post-Journal.
What should Michael Abbey do if he sees this notice?: He should contact the attorney for the estate, Kristin M. Lee Yaw, Esq., or appear in Surrogate's Court by the return date stated in the citation.

The suggestions and answers above are AI-generated for general information only. They can be wrong, and we don't take responsibility for their accuracy. Talk to a qualified professional before acting on them.

Legal terms in this notice

citation: A court notice ordering a person to appear or respond in a probate proceeding.
return date: The court date by which the cited person must appear or respond to the citation.
publication: Serving notice by printing it in a newspaper when personal service is not possible.

Full Notice Text

Public Notice 

STATE OF NEW YORK

SURROGATE'S COURT: COUNTY OF CHAUTAUQUA

Probate Proceeding Estate of,

BARBARA J. ABBEY,

Deceased)

ORDER FOR PUBLICATION

File No.: 2025-657

A citation having been issued in the above-entitled proceedings, returnable in this Court on the day of 2026, at in the noon; and it appearing to the satisfaction of this Court by the verified petition of James R. Smith, Jr., that there are persons required to be made parties of this proceeding whose whereabouts are unknown, and cannot, after diligent inquiry, be ascertained;

On the Motion of Kristin M. Lee Yaw, Esq., attorney for the Estate herein, it is hereby ORDERED that the service of said citation for the heir MICHAEL ABBEY be made by the publication of said citation in one newspaper, hereby designated as the Post-Journal, published in the County of Chautauqua, State of New York, once per week for four (4) consecutive weeks; with the first publication being made at least 28 days prior to the return date.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

ENTER:

Hon. Stephen W. Cass, Surrogate

 Apr 29, May 6, 13, 20, 2026