The amount of time that must pass before an asset is considered legally abandoned - the dormancy period - is set by law. It varies with the type of property involved, but generally runs one to five years. If, at the end of the dormancy period, there has been no owner contact, those holding the assets - insurance companies, banks, brokerages, trade and credit unions, employers and utilities - transfer them to the protective custody of a government trust account in a process known as escheat.

Dormancy typically occurs with name changes after marriage or divorce, expiration of a forwarding order after a move, as a result of computer and clerical errors, and frequently upon the death of a family member. *** Relatives are often unaware they're entitled to collect an unclaimed inheritance. It is the job of the beneficiary to file a claim, and government agencies holding these funds generally make little or no effort to contact you.

Note heir finders and asset tracers often specialize in locating owners of unclaimed money and abandoned assets before they are remitted to government custody; demanding 35% or more to recover the unclaimed funds. It is often possible, however, to locate the money yourself and avoid paying these steep fees.

To conduct a search for unclaimed money and obtain information on finding and claiming pre-escheat assets complete the form below:

Unclaimed Money and Abandoned Funds Search

Secure Order Form

Full name to be searched:   

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