As a beneficiary of your deceased relative’s estate, you are entitled to the specified assets. However, there might also be some unclaimed property that your relative had no knowledge of or had forgotten. The financial institutions and companies holding such property must submit them to a state agency when they cannot locate the owner. Many states operate an unclaimed property program and maintain records that anyone can search. You can use these databases to find any unclaimed inheritance.
Step 1
Visit a website where you can search each state’s unclaimed property records. These include Unclaimed.org and Missingmoney.com. Unclaimed.org provides links to each state’s unclaimed property program, while Missingmoney.com searches records for all participating states at once.
Step 2
Proceed to the unclaimed property program search page. Enter your relative's last name into the appropriate field. You may also enter the first name and city or state for a more refined search. Click the search button to generate results.
Step 3
File a claim if you find unclaimed property. Follow the instructions that the agency provides on the program page. The agency will require documents that prove that the property belongs to your relative's estate. Also, prepare to prove your identity and your right to claim the property.
Step 4
Repeat the process for other states where your relative lived, if you are searching each state individually.
References
Tips
- Missingmoney.com limits the number of results per search but allows you to enter several addresses in the advanced search for better results.
Warnings
- Some fraudulent companies charge a fee to claim property on your behalf. The government websites are free to use and the process of claiming property is straightforward.
Writer Bio
Tina Amo has been writing business-related content since 2006. Her articles appear on various well-known websites. Amo holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration with a concentration in information systems.