(a) Where any guardian, administrator, executor, surety on their bonds, or other person removes himself beyond the limits of this state or absconds or conceals himself, the judge of the probate court shall have the power to cite such guardian, administrator, executor, surety, or other person to appear before him relative to the performance of his duties or any other matter related to the probate court pertaining to such person. Service may be had upon the guardian, administrator, executor, surety, or other person by publication in the manner prescribed in subsection (b) of this Code section.

(b) The judge of the probate court shall cause to be published his order calling upon a person described in subsection (a) of this Code section to appear, in the newspaper of his county in which sheriff's advertisements are published, once a week for four weeks immediately preceding the court day on which the person is cited to appear. The published order shall be directed to the guardian, administrator, executor, surety, or other person, shall set the date and time on which the matter in question will be heard, shall indicate all matters to be passed upon at such time, and shall be signed by the judge of the probate court in his official capacity. Where the address of the guardian, administrator, executor, surety, or other person is known, a copy of the published order shall be mailed to the party named in the order. The judge of the probate court shall make an entry of his actions upon the minutes of the court.