# Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 245, sec. 4: Notice by publication

> Massachusetts · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIII_TIII_C245_S4

## Section

- **Citation:** Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 245, sec. 4
- **Heading:** Notice by publication
- **Jurisdiction:** Massachusetts
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** MA Code / Part III / Title III / Chapter 245 / Section 4

## Text

Section 4. If, in case of a supposed escheat, no person appears as the heir of the person last seized, or if in any case there is reason to suppose that there is a person claiming an estate or interest in the land, whose name is unknown, who is absent from the commonwealth or who cannot be found therein to be served with process, the court shall, in addition to any other service, order the substance of the complaint with the order of the court thereon to be published once in each of three successive weeks in a newspaper designated by it, the first publication to be at least ninety days before the time appointed for the appearance of the parties.

Section 4. If, in case of a supposed escheat, no person appears as the heir of the person last seized, or if in any case there is reason to suppose that there is a person claiming an estate or interest in the land, whose name is unknown, who is absent from the commonwealth or who cannot be found therein to be served with process, the court shall, in addition to any other service, order the substance of the complaint with the order of the court thereon to be published once in each of three successive weeks in a newspaper designated by it, the first publication to be at least ninety days before the time appointed for the appearance of the parties.

## Nearby sections

- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 245, sec. 1 Unlawful entry; action for recovery](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIII_TIII_C245_S1.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 245, sec. 2 Order of governor and council; when necessary](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIII_TIII_C245_S2.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 245, sec. 4 Notice by publication](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIII_TIII_C245_S4.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 245, sec. 5 Defendants, persons who may be; costs](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIII_TIII_C245_S5.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 245, sec. 6 Rents and profits; improvements; commonwealth prevailing party](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIII_TIII_C245_S6.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 245, sec. 7 Judgments for commonwealth; effect](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIII_TIII_C245_S7.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 245, sec. 8 Judgments; conclusiveness](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIII_TIII_C245_S8.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 245, sec. 9 Persons not concluded; action for recovery](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIII_TIII_C245_S9.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 245, sec. 10 Against whom action brought](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIII_TIII_C245_S10.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 245, sec. 11 Rents and profits; improvements; plaintiff prevailing party](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIII_TIII_C245_S11.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 245, sec. 12 Costs](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIII_TIII_C245_S12.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIII_TIII_C245_S4. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.