Claiming unclaimed property for a deceased relative
You may be able to claim a deceased relative's unclaimed property if you are their legal heir.1 Property goes to the state of the owner's last known address in the business's records,6 so it may be in more than one state if the person moved. Some states let heirs claim small amounts without a probate court order, such as Florida3 and California.5
On this page
- Owners keep the right to reclaim property held by the states with no time limit.2
- Claiming through the official program of the state holding the property is free.8
- Small-estate limits differ: $20,000 in Florida and Pennsylvania,34 $25,000 in Virginia7 and $208,500 in California for deaths on or after April 1, 2025.5
Which states to search
Property goes to the state of the owner’s last known address in the business’s records,6 so someone who moved may have property in more than one state. See the multi-state checklist.
Who can file the claim
A legal heir may be able to file for unclaimed property that was owed to a deceased relative.1 Each state sets the proof it accepts. Virginia, for example, takes this evidence in order of preference:7
- A certificate of qualification as executor, or an order appointing an administrator or personal representative of the estate.
- A small-estate affidavit naming the claimant as designated successor.
- The order of distribution or final accounting of a closed estate showing payment due to the claimant.
Small-estate routes in some states
| State | Limit and route |
|---|---|
| California | Declaration under Probate Code section 13101, at least 40 days after death; $208,500 for deaths on or after April 1, 20255 |
| Florida | Affidavit signed by all beneficiaries when everything held totals $20,000 or less and no probate proceeding is pending3 |
| Pennsylvania | Surviving spouse or close relative of an owner who died a Pennsylvania resident, $20,000 or less, when no personal representative was appointed or five years have passed since one was; a certified death certificate and a sworn relationship affidavit are required4 |
| Virginia | Claimant’s affidavit at the State Treasurer’s discretion, when no estate papers exist, the death was at least a year before the claim and the claim is $25,000 or less7 |
Each state page lists that state’s own rules under “Documents you need”, and the claim documents tool shows each state’s list.
Heir finders
Searching and claiming through the official program of the state holding the property is free.8 States typically require finders to register and be licensed, and NAUPA, the association of state unclaimed property programs, recommends contacting your state’s unclaimed property office before signing a finder’s contract.9 See the fee limits and the finders guide.
Next step
List every state the person lived in on the multi-state checklist and search each one using every name they went by. If you find a match, the claim guide walks through the filing, and the life insurance guide covers policies you cannot locate.
Questions people ask
Who can claim unclaimed property of a deceased person?
A legal heir may be able to file.1 Each state sets the proof it accepts; Virginia, for example, takes an executor's or administrator's appointment, a small-estate affidavit or the distribution order of a closed estate.7
Do I need probate to claim a relative's unclaimed property?
Not always. Florida, for example, lets beneficiaries claim without a probate court order by filing an affidavit signed by all beneficiaries, when the total held is $20,000 or less and no probate proceeding is pending.3
Sources
Footnote numbers point here. Open "Quoted text" for the exact words relied on ("[…]" marks words left out).
- How to find unclaimed money from the government USAGov · usa.gov · Sept. 24, 2025 · checked Nov. 3, 2026
Quoted text (1)
You may be able to file for unclaimed money owed to you, or that was owed to a deceased relative if you are their legal heir.
- NAST and NAUPA Relaunch MissingMoney.com National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) · unclaimed.org · Nov. 1, 2022 · checked Nov. 3, 2026
Quoted text (1)
Though held by each state, owners have the right to reclaim their money in perpetuity.
- Chapter 717, Florida Statutes (2026), Florida Disposition of Abandoned Personal Property Act The Florida Legislature · leg.state.fl.us · 2026 Florida Statutes · checked Nov. 3, 2026
Quoted text (2)
(1) A claim for abandoned property made by a beneficiary, as defined in s. 731.201, of a deceased owner need not be accompanied by an order of a probate court if the claimant files with the department an affidavit, signed by all beneficiaries, stating that all the beneficiaries have amicably agreed among themselves upon a division of the estate and that all funeral expenses, expenses of the last illness, and any other lawful claims have been paid, and any additional information reasonably necessary to make a determination of entitlement.
This section applies only if all of the abandoned property held by the department on behalf of the owner has an aggregate value of $20,000 or less and no probate proceeding is pending.
- 20 Pa.C.S. Chapter 31, including § 3101 Pennsylvania General Assembly · palegis.us · text displayed Nov. 3, 2026; incorporates Act 50 of 2025 · checked Nov. 3, 2026
Quoted text (5)
(1) In any case where property or funds owned by an individual who has died a resident of this Commonwealth have been reported to the Commonwealth and are in the custody of the State Treasurer as unclaimed or abandoned property, the State Treasurer, at any time after the death of the individual, shall only be authorized under this section to distribute the property or to pay the amount being held in custody where all of the following conditions are present:
(i) The amount of the funds or the value of the property is $20,000 or less.
(ii) The person claiming the property or the funds is the surviving spouse or a member of the class of people as specified in section 2103(1), (2), (3) or (4) (relating to shares of others than surviving spouse), with preference given in that order.
(iii) A personal representative of the decedent has not been appointed or five years have lapsed since the appointment of a personal representative of the decedent.
(i) A certified death certificate of the owner.
- Declaration Under Probate Code Section 13101 (PDF form + instructions) California State Controller's Office · claimit.ca.gov · REV. 9/2022 (table includes April 1, 2025 amount) · checked Nov. 3, 2026
Quoted text (2)
At least 40 days have elapsed since the death of the Decedent, as shown in a certified copy of the Decedent's death certificate attached to this declaration.
If the Decedent died on or after April 1, 2025 $208,500
- Delaware v. Pennsylvania, 598 U.S. 115 (2023), opinion Supreme Court of the United States · supremecourt.gov · Feb. 28, 2023 · checked Nov. 3, 2026
Quoted text (1)
To resolve the competing claims, we established that, as the primary (default) rule, the proceeds of abandoned financial products should escheat “to the State of the creditor's last known address as shown by the debtor's books and records.”
- Code of Virginia Title 55.1 Chapter 25, Virginia Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act (full chapter) Commonwealth of Virginia, Legislative Information System (Code of Virginia) · law.lis.virginia.gov · Code as published Nov. 3, 2026; includes 2026 c. 669 · checked Nov. 3, 2026
Quoted text (3)
When, in the absence of any such evidence, (a) the death of the reported owner occurred at least one year prior to filing the claim and (b) the amount claimed is $25,000 or less, exclusive of any interest owed pursuant to subsection C of § 55.1-2533, the administrator may allow the claimant to submit an affidavit stating the claimant's entitlement to payment in the absence of sufficient documentation, and the administrator may approve the claim in his discretion, returning or paying all or the appropriate share of the deceased owner's property to the claimant.
In order of preference, such evidence may include (i) a certificate of qualification as the executor or an order of appointment as the administrator or personal representative of the decedent's estate under the laws of the state of the decedent's domicile; (ii) if applicable, an affidavit authorizing the claimant to be the designated successor under the Virginia Small Estate Act (§ 64.2-600 et seq.), or its equivalent under the laws of the state of the decedent's domicile that names the claimant as the designated successor; or (iii) the order of distribution or the final accounting for a closed estate that reflects payment due in whole or in part to the claimant.
"Administrator" means the State Treasurer or his designee.
- Claim Your Found Property National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) · unclaimed.org · checked Nov. 3, 2026
Quoted text (1)
Both searching for and claiming your unclaimed property are free, provided you go through the official government program of the state holding the property.
- Is it really free to search? National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) · unclaimed.org · checked Nov. 3, 2026
Quoted text (2)
Before signing any contract from a firm of this type, we recommend that you be cautious and contact the unclaimed property office in your state for more information.
States typically require third-party unclaimed property finders to register within the state, as well as become licensed as a finder.