The DU Lounge
Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsDoes anyone know how I can get help with Unclaimed Assets?
....long story short....My Grandmother had some liquidated stock shares and an old life insurance police that my Sister and I found out about on this website, Unclaimed Property. It seems so complicated (in terms of paperwork) to access this money (It's not a whole lot but it would really come in handy). Does anyone know where I can get some help with this? I think there are some companies that help and charge 10% which we'd be happy to pay. Any suggestions? Thank you...
Motley13
(3,867 posts)Frustratedlady
(16,254 posts)Check her state at the time of death and see if they have a list of unclaimed property. Don't take anyone's word for it until you find out they are legit. I should think you could find more information through the state's attorney general or treasury office. Worth a try. It shouldn't cost you anything to claim. I think each state is supposed to post that list each year or so. Then again, I could be all wet.
Just be careful!
notdarkyet
(2,226 posts)Easy.
pnwmom
(108,925 posts)numbers.
They'll help.
magicarpet
(13,935 posts)annual lists released yearly. The financial entity has funds that have not been claimed and sit idle on an inactive account. After a period of inactivity the business sends the unclaimed asset to the state and the state issues an annual list for unclaimed funds. People or friends of the people see the name on the list and notify the owner to make a claim for those inactive accounts or funds.
Contact the Secretary of State in the state you grandmother was last domicile to see if any unclaimed funds are found and if so they will inform you how to make a claim to properly retrieve those monies. You might also check any other state where your grandmother lived previously - to check if any unclaimed assets remain in her name unclaimed. If there was an executor of her estate that would be logical they follow that up. Or if you or your siblings are proper heirs to her estate you likely have access to the paperwork and documents needed to make a claim for those amounts.
Rather than pay someone a % to do the leg work to aquire these unclaimed funds you can easily do it yourself. Not a big deal or difficult at all.
SeattleVet
(5,468 posts)contact the office in your state that handles it.
A google search for 'Unclaimed property' <your state> will give you the info you need.
My wife filed a claim last year and we got a decent amount - well worth the minimal effort.
Stay FAR away from any of the places that charge you anything to get your own property back! The state will give it to you for a little bit of paperwork,
MaryMagdaline
(6,849 posts)The harder part, but not terribly hard, is if you have to go into probate to get an order of distribution (may have to prove your relationship in court and your entitlement to the funds. State will honor the probate ruling)(many of these do not require a court hearing)
Go on the website first and see what proof is required. Then you can go to a lawyer if necessary to open probate. I have an investigator friend who does all the paper work for clients in Florida and even hires the lawyers if needed. I hired him to collect a few thousand and gladly paid him the fee. I am a lawyer but only do probate for clients. Mine did not require probate. I felt it was worth the fee to pay him a percentage and save me the time.