Unclaimed property finders and heir-search firms: fee caps and your rights

A finder, heir finder or asset locator is a private business that tells you about property a state is holding for you and offers to claim it for a share. Finders are legal in most cases, but never necessary: searching and claiming through the official state program is free.¹ Many states cap the fee, for example at 10% in California,² 15% in Pennsylvania³ and 30% in Florida,⁴ and many, such as Kansas, make a contract unenforceable if it is signed within 24 months after the property reaches the state.⁵

Updated November 3, 2026 · Facts checked against official sources November 3, 2026

On this page

What finders do and how they find you
Is it legit to pay a finder?
Fee limits by state
Waiting periods: when a finder contract is void
What a finder contract must say
Registration and licensing
Who gets the check
Your rights if you have already signed
Attorneys and “unclaimed property lawyers”
Heirs and estates
Before property reaches the state
Next step
Questions people ask
Sources

Finders are legal in most cases and usually charge a percentage of what they recover; some states limit the fee.¹
In the states listed here, percentage caps run from 10%, as in California² and Virginia,⁶ to 30% in Florida;⁴ Wyoming sets no limit.⁷
Many states void or refuse to enforce finder contracts signed in the first 24 months after the property reaches the state, such as Kansas⁵ and Maryland;⁸ Virginia waits 36 months⁶ and New Mexico 48.⁹
Several states require finders to register or hold a license, such as Pennsylvania¹⁰ and Missouri.¹¹
In many states the state pays the owner, not the finder, for example Pennsylvania¹⁰ and North Dakota.¹²

What finders do and how they find you

Finders, also called locators, find property the states are holding and tell the owners how to get it, for a fee that is usually a percentage of what they recover.¹ Connecticut defines a finder as a person or company that claims property reported as belonging to someone else under an agreement to locate it, in return for a fee.¹³

Finders often get owner names through the states’ public records laws.¹ Some states sell the lists directly: the Arkansas Auditor sells a “Finder File” for $250,²¹ and Wyoming sells a list of property held more than 24 months for $1,000.⁷ Not every contact comes from a firm working on its own, though. Sometimes the bank, utility or other business holding your property hires a firm to find you before the property has to go to the state.¹

Is it legit to pay a finder?

In most cases it is legal. NAUPA, the national association of state administrators, says finders are legal in most cases but never required to get your property,¹ and that searching and claiming through your official state program costs nothing.¹ The FDIC gives the same caution about lost bank accounts: be careful with anyone who charges for a service you can do yourself.²²

Some states say this directly to owners. Mississippi’s Treasury says anyone can file a claim without a paid finder, and that it will help you avoid finder fees.²³ West Virginia’s Treasurer does not refer owners to third parties and asks you to contact the office if someone offers to find property for you for a fee.²⁴ Alaska will not discuss a claim with a fee finder at all.²⁵

Each state’s official program is linked from its state page. NAUPA recommends contacting the state program before you sign a finder contract.¹ A notice about your property that involves a fee may be from a third-party finder;²⁶ the scams guide covers other warning signs.

Fee limits by state

Each state sets its own rules, and some set none. These are the limits in the state laws and official pages cited here; the finder-fee comparison shows them side by side.

Finder fee limits and timing rules by state
State	Fee limit	Timing and other rules
Alabama	10% of the amount claimed²⁷	Void from the time property is presumed abandoned until 24 months after it reaches the Treasurer; the contract must say you can recover the property from the Treasurer free²⁷
Alaska	10% if the property is worth $500 or more, 20% if less²⁵	Contract must be written, last no more than six months and show your share after the fee²⁸
Arkansas	10% of the amount collected²⁹	No fee until the property has been in the Auditor’s custody for 24 months²⁹
California	10% of the recovered property²	Contracts allowed only after the property reaches the State Controller¹⁵
Connecticut	10%¹³	Contract at least two years after the property was reported;¹³ since 2025 it must say you can claim directly at no cost³⁰
Delaware	$1,000 or 10% of the value recovered, whichever is less³¹	Void from the date the property was distributable to you until 24 months after it is paid to the state; your signature must be notarized³¹
Florida	30% of the claimed amount⁴	Only registered claimant representatives (Florida attorneys, CPAs or licensed private investigators); no payment before the claim is approved⁴
Iowa	15%³²	Unenforceable if made within 24 months after the state receives the property;³² only licensed private investigation businesses may collect a fee¹⁷
Kansas	15%⁵	Unenforceable if made within 24 months after the property reaches the Treasurer⁵
Louisiana	10% for a fiduciary agent³³	Void until 24 months after delivery;³³ fiduciary agents are Louisiana-licensed attorneys, CPAs and financial advisors³⁴
Maine	15% for contracts made 24 to 36 months after delivery³⁵	Void before 24 months;³⁵ heir finders must be Maine-licensed private investigators, with some exceptions³⁶
Maryland	None stated in its finder law⁸	Unenforceable if made within 24 months after delivery⁸
Minnesota	Above 10% only with a written, signed contract disclosing the property and its holder¹⁸	No contract or fee request within 24 months after delivery¹⁸
Mississippi	10% of the paid claim⁴²²³	No fees on property the state has held less than 7 months⁴²
Missouri	10% (12 to 24 months after delivery), 15% (24 to 36), 20% (after 36)¹¹	Unenforceable within 12 months after delivery; finders must register with the Treasurer before filing a claim¹¹
New Mexico	No fixed percentage; unconscionable fees are unenforceable⁹	Void until 48 months after delivery⁹
North Dakota	10%³⁷	Void until the property has been held 24 months¹²
Oklahoma	25%¹⁴	Written agreement signed by the claimant¹⁴
Pennsylvania	15%³	Finders need a Treasury certificate of registration¹⁰
South Dakota	Above 25% only with a written contract signed by the owner¹⁹	Unenforceable from 12 months before reporting until 24 months after delivery¹⁹
Utah	20% of the amount collected, set by rule³⁸	Void within 24 months after delivery;³⁹ contingent-fee finders need a Utah private detective license³⁸
Virginia	10%⁶	No fee may be sought until 36 months after delivery⁶
Wyoming	No limit⁷	Unenforceable within 24 months after delivery;⁴⁰ no registration required⁷
U.S. Virgin Islands	No fixed percentage; unconscionable fees are unenforceable⁴¹	Void until 24 months after delivery⁴¹

Waiting periods: when a finder contract is void

Many states do not let finders sign contracts for property that has only just reached the state. The Uniform Law Commission’s 2016 model act, the Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act, makes a finder agreement void if it is signed between the day the property is delivered to the state and 24 months later.²⁰ States differ in the length:

7 months in Mississippi, where finders may not collect fees on property held for less⁴²
12 months in Missouri, followed by rising fee caps¹¹
24 months in Alabama,²⁷ Kansas,⁵ Maryland,⁸ Minnesota,¹⁸ Utah³⁹ and Wyoming⁴⁰
36 months in Virginia⁶
48 months in New Mexico⁹

California works the other way: investigators may not contract with an owner until after the property has been transferred to the State Controller.¹⁵

What a finder contract must say

Under the model act, a finder agreement is enforceable only if it is in a record that states the property and the services, is signed by the owner, and shows the amount expected to be recovered before and after the fee.²⁰ States add their own requirements:

It must tell you the claim is free. Alabama requires the contract to say the property can be recovered from the Treasurer without a fee;²⁷ since January 1, 2025, Connecticut requires it to say you can claim directly from the Treasurer at no cost, and how.³⁰
Notarized signature. Delaware requires the owner’s signature to be notarized.³¹
A state form only. Florida claimant representatives must use the state’s Abandoned Property Recovery Agreement or Abandoned Property Purchase Agreement,⁴ and may not take payment before the claim is approved.⁴ A seller under a Florida purchase agreement can cancel within 15 business days without penalty.⁴
A time limit. Alaska contracts may not last more than six months.²⁸

Registration and licensing

Some states regulate who may act as a finder:

Pennsylvania: nobody may assist in a recovery for pay without a certificate of registration from the Treasurer.¹⁰ Lawyers admitted to practice are excepted.³
Missouri: paid finders must register with the Treasurer before submitting a claim.¹¹
Florida: only registered claimant representatives, meaning Florida Bar attorneys, Florida CPAs and Florida-licensed private investigators, may file claims for others.⁴
Iowa, Maine, North Dakota and Utah: finders need a private investigator license (in Utah, if the fee is contingent).¹⁷³⁶¹²³⁸
Louisiana: paid fiduciary agents are limited to Louisiana-licensed attorneys, CPAs and financial advisors.³⁴

Other states require none. Alaska has no special requirements or licenses for finders,²⁵ and Wyoming does not require finders to register.⁷

Who gets the check

In many states the payment goes to the owner even when a finder is involved:

Pennsylvania pays claimants directly, not third-party finders.¹⁰
Kansas may pay the owner or heir directly rather than an agent or assignee, whatever written instructions say.⁵
North Dakota sends the entire payment to the owner,¹² as do Iowa³² and Wyoming.⁷
Mississippi will not deduct finder fees from the payment.⁴²

Other states pay differently. Maine delivers the payment to a licensed investigator who has a qualifying agreement with the claimant.⁴³ In Florida, cash claims are paid to the owner after deducting the fees authorized in the recovery agreement, and safe deposit box contents and securities go directly to the claimant.⁴

Your rights if you have already signed

Excessive fees can be challenged. Iowa,¹⁷ Minnesota¹⁸ and South Dakota¹⁹ let an owner claim at any time that a fee is excessive or unjust. Under the model act, an unconscionable fee is unenforceable except by the owner, and the owner or the state can go to court to reduce it;²⁰ New Mexico has the same rule.⁹
Contracts signed too early do not hold. Under the model act a contract signed in the 24 months after the property reaches the state is void,²⁰ and the states in the table above have their own versions of this rule.
Illegal finder activity can be reported. Pennsylvania takes reports through its Treasury Office of Investigations.¹⁰

Attorneys and “unclaimed property lawyers”

Lawyers are treated differently in many states. The model act’s waiting period does not apply to an owner’s agreement with an attorney to pursue specifically identified property or to contest a denied claim.²⁰ Utah applies the same exception to licensed attorneys and CPAs who have a client relationship with the owner,³⁸ and Pennsylvania’s registration requirement does not cover lawyers admitted to practice.³ In Florida, attorneys are one of the three kinds of registered claimant representatives.⁴

Heirs and estates

Heir finders look for property and return it to owners or their heirs for a fee, as Utah’s Treasurer describes them.⁴⁴ Some states add rules for heirs. In Oklahoma, if the owner died without agreeing to a fee in writing, a fee can be collected only from each heir who agreed to it in writing.¹⁴ Claiming through the official state program is free;¹⁶ the deceased relative guide explains the usual documents.

Before property reaches the state

A finder letter may arrive while a business still holds your property, because some holders hire firms to find owners before they report to the state.¹ Some states restrict these contracts too. South Dakota makes fee agreements unenforceable from 12 months before the holder reports.¹⁹ Utah does not let a holder or its contractor charge you a fee to respond to a notice so that your property is not reported.³⁸

Next step

Before you sign anything, run the search yourself: the list of states links each official site, and the claim guide covers the filing. Program phone numbers are on the contacts page, and if an offer looks wrong, try the scam check.

Questions people ask

Is it legit to pay an unclaimed property finder?

Paying a finder is legal in most cases, but it is never required: you can search and claim from the state program yourself at no cost.¹ If you are considering a contract, NAUPA, the state administrators' association, suggests contacting your state program first.¹

How much can an unclaimed property finder charge?

It depends on the state. California, Connecticut and Virginia cap fees at 10%,²¹³⁶ Pennsylvania at 15%,³ Oklahoma at 25%¹⁴ and Florida at 30%.⁴ The finder-fee table lists them by state.

Why did a company contact me before the state did?

Sometimes the business holding your property hires a firm to find you before it has to send the property to the state.¹ In California, investigators may not sign a recovery contract with you until the property has been transferred to the State Controller.¹⁵

Do I need an heir finder to claim a deceased relative's property?

No. Searching and claiming through the official state program is free.¹⁶ The deceased relative guide explains what heirs usually need to provide.

Can I get out of a finder contract with an excessive fee?

Several states let an owner challenge an excessive or unjust fee at any time, among them Iowa,¹⁷ Minnesota¹⁸ and South Dakota.¹⁹ Under the model act and in many states, a contract signed during the waiting period after the property reaches the state is void.²⁰

Sources

Footnote numbers point here. Open "Quoted text" for the exact words relied on ("[…]" marks words left out).

Is it really free to search? National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) · unclaimed.org · checked Nov. 3, 2026

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IMPORTANT: There are, however, third-party “finders” that may offer to locate and claim your unclaimed property for you. While not required to obtain your unclaimed property, these third-party services are in most cases legal.
There is no fee to search for and claim your unclaimed property—if you use your official state program.
Many businesses, sometimes called finders or locators, offer to find legitimate lost property for owners and inform them of how to obtain it for a fee—usually a percentage of the total find. Some states limit the maximum fee.
Third-party finders often use the states’ freedom of information acts to obtain owner information.
Sometimes, the organization holding your unclaimed property (ex., bank, utilities company) will hire a third-party finder to locate you before the organization is required to turn the unclaimed property over to the state.
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.
Unclaimed Property Law and Regulations (official SCO compilation of Code of Civil Procedure section 1500-1582 and 2 CCR 1150 et seq.) (PDF) California State Controller's Office · sco.ca.gov · February 2026 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

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(C) The fee or compensation agreed upon is not in excess of 10 percent of the recovered property.
The Fiscal Code, Act of Apr. 9, 1929, P.L. 343, No. 176, Article XIII.1 (72 P.S. § 1301.1 et seq.) Pennsylvania General Assembly · palegis.us · text displayed Nov. 3, 2026; latest Article XIII.1 amendment shown: July 17, 2024, P.L.910, No.81 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

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clearly state the fee or compensation to be paid, which shall not exceed fifteen per centum of the value of the abandoned and unclaimed property;
Except for a person who is admitted to practice law before a court of a Federal or State jurisdiction or subject to section 1301.11(i), a person may not on behalf of another:
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

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(j) The total fees and costs, or the total discount in the case of a purchase agreement, which may not exceed 30 percent of the claimed amount.
(12) “Claimant representative” means an attorney who is a member in good standing with The Florida Bar, a certified public accountant licensed in this state, or a private investigator licensed in this state who is registered with the department and authorized to file claims on behalf of persons with the department.
(4) A claimant representative must use the Abandoned Property Recovery Agreement or the Abandoned Property Purchase Agreement as the exclusive means of entering into an agreement or a contract with a claimant or seller to file a claim with the department.
(l) Receipt or solicitation of consideration to be paid in advance of the approval of a claim under this chapter.
(2) A seller may cancel a purchase agreement without penalty or obligation within 15 business days after the date on which the agreement was executed.
The contents of a safe-deposit box or shares of securities must be delivered directly to the claimant.
Payments of approved claims for unclaimed cash accounts must be made to the owner after deducting any fees and costs authorized by the claimant under an Abandoned Property Recovery Agreement.
K.S.A. 58-3968. Agreement to locate reported property Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes · ksrevisor.gov · K.S.A. current as published Nov. 3, 2026; last amended L. 2000 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

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(a) All agreements to pay compensation to recover or assist in the recovery of property reported under K.S.A. 58-3950, and amendments thereto, made within 24 months after the date payment or delivery is made under K.S.A. 58-3952, and amendments thereto, are unenforceable.
(b) All agreements to pay compensation to recover or assist in the recovery of property reported under K.S.A. 58-3950, and amendments thereto, made more than 24 months after the date payment or delivery is made under K.S.A. 58-3952, and amendments thereto, are unenforceable if the fee or compensation agreed upon is in excess of 15% of the value of the recoverable property.
State warrants that may be issued in payment for and redemption of recoverable property may be issued, in the discretion of the administrator, directly to the rightful owners or, as fiduciary of the estate of a deceased owner, to an heir or legatee, and not to a named attorney in fact, agent, assignee or other person regardless of written instructions to the contrary.
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

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It is unlawful for any person to seek or receive from another person or contract with another person for a fee or compensation for locating property that he knows has been reported or paid or delivered to the administrator pursuant to this chapter prior to 36 months after the date of delivery of the property by the holder to the administrator as required by this chapter.
No agreement entered into after 36 months from the required date of delivery of the property by the holder to the administrator is valid if a person thereby undertakes to locate property included in a report for a fee or other compensation exceeding 10 percent of the value of the recoverable property.
Asset Finders Wyoming State Treasurer's Office · statetreasurer.wyo.gov · undated page; read Nov. 3, 2026 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

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No, Wyoming law does not set a limit on payment.
No, Wyoming law does not require finders be registered agents.
Checks will only be issued in the name of the owner(s) and sent to the owner(s).
That list is available as a searchable database accessible through Excel and can be purchased for $1,000.00.
Maryland Code, Commercial Law § 17-325 Maryland General Assembly (mgaleg.maryland.gov) · mgaleg.maryland.gov · current text as displayed Nov. 3, 2026 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

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All agreements to pay compensation to recover or assist in the recovery of property made within 24 months of the date the property is paid or delivered to the abandoned property office are unenforceable.
NMSA 1978 Chapter 7, Article 8A, Uniform Unclaimed Property Act (1995), Sections 7-8A-1 to 7-8A-31, with annotations New Mexico Compilation Commission (NMOneSource.com) · nmonesource.com · Current NMSA 1978 as published on NMOneSource (site last modified 11/02/2026); latest Article 8A amendment shown: Laws 2021, ch. 65 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

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A. An agreement by an owner, the primary purpose of which is to locate, deliver, recover or assist in the recovery of property that is presumed abandoned, is void and unenforceable if it was entered into during the period commencing on the date the property was presumed abandoned and extending to a time that is forty-eight months after the date the property is paid or delivered to the administrator.
D. An agreement covered by this section which provides for compensation that is unconscionable is unenforceable except by the owner.
An owner who has agreed to pay compensation that is unconscionable or the administrator on behalf of the owner may maintain an action to reduce the compensation to a conscionable amount.
FAQs: Finders Pennsylvania Treasury Department · searchandclaimpa.gov · undated page; read Nov. 3, 2026 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

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Under Pennsylvania law, no person may assist in the recovery of unclaimed property and receive compensation therefor unless the person has applied for and received a certificate of registration from the Treasurer.
Please be advised all unclaimed property payments will be made payable to and sent directly to the claimants and not to any third-party finders.
To report illegal finder activity contact: Pennsylvania Treasury Department Office of Investigations
RSMo § 447.581 (Revised Statutes of Missouri, current text) Missouri Revisor of Statutes (Joint Committee on Legislative Research) · revisor.mo.gov · 28 Aug 2018, 2 histories · checked Nov. 3, 2026

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Except as provided in subsection 7 of this section, any person who enters into an agreement to recover or perform in a representative capacity to assist in the recovery of property reported or delivered to the treasurer under sections 447.500 to 447.595, for compensation, shall register with the treasurer prior to submitting a claim to the treasurer for recovery of such property.
Any agreement to pay compensation to recover or assist in the recovery of property reported or delivered to the treasurer under the provisions of sections 447.500 to 447.595 which is made within twelve months after the date of payment or delivery to the treasurer is unenforceable.
Any agreement to pay compensation to recover or assist in the recovery of property reported or delivered to the treasurer which is made more than twelve months, but less than twenty-four months, after the date of payment or delivery to the treasurer shall be invalid if the compensation for recovery is greater than ten percent of the property at issue.
which is made more than twenty-four months, but less than thirty-six months, after the date of payment or delivery to the treasurer shall be invalid if the compensation for recovery is greater than fifteen percent of the property at issue.
Any agreement to pay compensation to recover or assist in the recovery of property reported or delivered to the treasurer which is made more than thirty-six months after the date of payment or delivery to the treasurer shall be invalid if the compensation for recovery is greater than twenty percent of the property at issue.
Heirfinder Guidelines ND Dept. of Trust Lands, Unclaimed Property Division · unclaimedproperty.nd.gov · not dated; read Nov. 3, 2026 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

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All such agreements must be in compliance with N.D.C.C. §§ 47-30.2-68 and 47-30.2-69 and are void under N.D.C.C. § 47-30.2-69 if property has not been in the custody of the Division for at least 24 months or if the agreement contains a provision which applies to property that has not yet been abandoned and reported to the administrator.
Heirfinders who are not exempted under N.D.C.C. § 43-30-02 must hold a current private investigator’s license issued by the State of North Dakota Private Investigation and Security Board (NDPISB)
Once a claim is approved, the entire payment will be sent directly to the apparent owner and a copy of the correspondence forwarded to the agent.
FAQs: Finders Connecticut Office of the Treasurer, Unclaimed Property Division · ctbiglist.gov · undated page; read Nov. 3, 2026 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

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No more than 10% of the underlying properties' value may be retained or charged by a finder.
As used here, a finder is a person or entity that, pursuant to an agreement to locate property, claims property that was reported as belonging to someone else in return for a fee or other compensation.
The contract must have been entered into at least two years after the property was reported to Connecticut’s Unclaimed Property division.
Oklahoma Statutes Title 60 (Property), Uniform Unclaimed Property Act, 60 O.S. §§651-688 Oklahoma Legislative Service Bureau · oklegislature.gov · compiled title; latest amendments shown Laws 2025, c. 421, eff. Nov. 1, 2025 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

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shall contract for or receive from the claimant, for services, an amount that exceeds twenty-five percent (25%) of the value of the funds or property recovered.
The agreement shall be in writing and signed by the claimant either by manual signature or electronic signature.
In the event the claimant of such funds or property is deceased and did not personally agree to the fee in writing, a fee for recovery can only be collected from each identified heir, devisee or legatee that has affirmatively agreed to that fee in writing.
FAQ: Claiming Property California State Controller's Office, Unclaimed Property Division · claimit.ca.gov · undated; checked Nov. 3, 2026 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

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Investigators are not allowed to contract with a property owner to help the owner recover unclaimed property until after the property is transferred to the State Controller’s Office for safekeeping.
Claim Your Found Property National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) · unclaimed.org · checked Nov. 3, 2026

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Both searching for and claiming your unclaimed property are free, provided you go through the official government program of the state holding the property.
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 556 – Disposition of Unclaimed Property Iowa Legislature · legis.iowa.gov · Iowa Code 2026 (PDF generated Dec. 9, 2025) · checked Nov. 3, 2026

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A person shall not attempt to collect or collect a fee or compensation for discovering property presumed abandoned under this chapter unless the person is licensed as a private investigation business pursuant to chapter 80A.
This section does not prevent an owner from asserting, at any time, that an agreement to locate property is based upon excessive or unjust consideration.
However, such agreements made after twenty-four months from the date of payment or delivery are valid if the fee or compensation agreed upon is not more than fifteen percent of the recoverable property, the agreement is in writing and signed by the owner, and the writing discloses the nature and value of the property and the name and address of the person in possession.
Minnesota Statutes chapter 345, Unclaimed Property (full chapter) Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes · revisor.mn.gov · 2026 Minnesota Statutes · checked Nov. 3, 2026

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It is unlawful for a person to seek or receive from another person or contract with a person for a fee or compensation for locating property, knowing it to have been reported or paid or delivered to the commissioner pursuant to chapter 345 prior to 24 months after the date the property is paid or delivered to the commissioner.
No agreement entered into after 24 months after the date the property is paid or delivered to the commissioner is valid if a person thereby undertakes to locate property included in a report for a fee or other compensation exceeding ten percent of the value of the recoverable property unless the agreement is in writing and signed by the owner and discloses the nature and value of the property and the name and address of the holder thereof as such facts have been reported.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent an owner from asserting at any time that an agreement to locate property is based upon an excessive or unjust consideration.
SDCL 43-41B-36 South Dakota Legislature (Legislative Research Council) · sdlegislature.gov · current codified text as served Nov. 3, 2026 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

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All agreements to pay compensation to recover or assist in the recovery of property reported under § 43-41B-18, made within twelve months prior to the reporting and remitting of abandoned property accounts and within twenty-four months after the date payment or delivery is made under § 43-41B-20, are unenforceable.
No agreement entered into after twenty-four months of the required date of delivery of the property by the holder to the state treasurer is valid if a person thereby undertakes to locate property included in a report for a fee or other compensation exceeding twenty-five percent of the value of the recoverable property unless the agreement is in writing and signed by the owner.
Nothing in this section may be construed to prevent an owner from asserting at any time that an agreement to locate property is based upon excessive or unjust consideration.
Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act (2016), text with comments (PDF) Uniform Law Commission · uniformlaws.org · 2016-07 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

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(a) Subject to subsection (b), an agreement under Section 1301 is void if it is entered into during the period beginning on the date the property was paid or delivered by a holder to the administrator and ending 24 months after the payment or delivery.
states the amount or value of the property reasonably expected to be recovered, computed before and after a fee or other compensation to be paid to the person has been deducted.
(c) An agreement under subsection (a) which provides for compensation in an amount that is unconscionable is unenforceable except by the apparent owner.
An apparent owner that believes the compensation the apparent owner has agreed to pay is unconscionable or the administrator, acting on behalf of an apparent owner, or both, may file an action in [the appropriate court] to reduce the compensation to the maximum amount that is not unconscionable.
(e) This section does not apply to an apparent owner’s agreement with an attorney to pursue a claim for recovery of specifically identified property held by the administrator or to contest the administrator’s denial of a claim for recovery of the property.
Finder File purchase page Arkansas Auditor of State (Arkansas.gov / Tyler Technologies portal) · app.ar.tylertech.com · file last updated 4/30/2026 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

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The cost to purchase the Finder File is $250.
How to Find a Long Lost Bank Account or Safe Deposit Box Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) · fdic.gov · Dec. 14, 2020 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

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Be cautious of anyone who demands money up-front or charges fees for a service you can do yourself.
FAQ's: Claiming Property Office of the Mississippi State Treasurer (portal) · ms.findyourunclaimedproperty.com · as displayed Nov. 3, 2026 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

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Any person may file a claim without the assistance of a paid claim finder. We are happy to assist you and help you avoid any fees from claim finders.
Claim finders may charge a maximum of 10% for their services.
West Virginia Unclaimed Property: FAQs: Claiming Property West Virginia State Treasurer's Office, Unclaimed Property Division · wvunclaimedproperty.gov · undated page; read Nov. 3, 2026 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

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Also, our office does not direct unclaimed property owners to a third party. If you are contacted by an individual offering to find you unclaimed property for a fee, please contact our office.
FAQs: Fee Finder Information Alaska Department of Revenue, Treasury Division · unclaimedproperty.alaska.gov · read Nov. 3, 2026; page undated · checked Nov. 3, 2026

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Property equal to or greater than $500 can not be charged a fee in excess of 10%
Property less than $500 can not be charged a fee in excess of 20%
The Department will not disclose nor discuss a claim with a fee finder.
There are no special requirements or licenses needed in the State of Alaska.
How States Return Missing Money National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) · unclaimed.org · checked Nov. 3, 2026

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If you receive a communication regarding your unclaimed property that involves a fee, it may be from a third-party finder or locator.
Code of Alabama § 35-12-93 Alabama Legislature (ALISON) · alison.legislature.state.al.us · current code as displayed Nov. 3, 2026 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

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(a) An agreement by an owner, the primary purpose of which is to locate, recover, or assist in the recovery of property that is presumed abandoned, is void and unenforceable if it was entered into during the period commencing on the date the property was presumed abandoned and extending to a time that is 24 months after the date the property is paid or delivered to the State Treasurer.
(e) Total compensation in an agreement covered by this section may not exceed 10 percent of the value of the amount claimed.
(4) States that the property may be recovered from the State Treasurer without the payment of a fee;
Alaska Statutes AS 34.45, Uniform Unclaimed Property Act Alaska State Legislature (akleg.gov) · akleg.gov · site serves the 2025 statutes (page script year=2025) · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

the agreement is in writing, signed by the apparent owner, does not exceed six months, and specifies the fees to be charged, nature and value of the property, and the value of the apparent owner's share after the fee or compensation is deducted.
Arkansas Unclaimed Property Administrative Rules, 18 CAR § 21-101 et seq. (final) Arkansas Auditor of State · auditor.ar.gov · rule text dated 11/03/2025 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (2)

(a) No person shall be entitled to a fee for discovering presumptively abandoned property until it has been in custody of the Auditor of State for at least twenty-four (24) months.
(b) The total amount that a finder may charge an apparent owner shall be limited to not more than ten percent (10%) of the amount of unclaimed property collected.
2026 Supplement to the General Statutes, Chapter 32 (sections amended in 2025 sessions) Connecticut General Assembly · cga.ct.gov · 2026 Supplement, revised to January 1, 2026 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

(B) In addition to the requirements set forth in subparagraph (B) of subdivision (1) of this subsection, an agreement entered into on or after January 1, 2025, to locate property shall be valid only if such agreement is in writing, is signed by the owner and clearly and conspicuously discloses (i) the nature and value of the property, (ii) the owner's share after the fee or compensation has been subtracted from such value, and (iii) that the owner may file a claim directly with the Treasurer at no cost and the method through which such claim may be filed.
Delaware Code Title 12, Chapter 11, Subchapter II. Unclaimed Property (§§ 1130-1191) Delaware General Assembly / Delaware Code Online · delcode.delaware.gov · current Delaware Code Online text (latest session law cited: 84 Del. Laws c. 368, 2024) · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (3)

(c) For an agreement under subsection (a) of this section, total fees and costs may not exceed $1,000 or 10% of the value of the property recovered, whichever is less.
(a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, an agreement under § 1186 of this title is void and unenforceable if it is entered into during the period beginning on the date the property was distributable to the owner and ending 24 months after the payment or delivery.
(2) It is signed by or on behalf of the owner, with signature notarized.
Iowa Administrative Code 781—Chapter 9, Unclaimed Property (official PDF) Iowa Legislature · legis.iowa.gov · Iowa Administrative Code 04/15/2026; rule 9.23 last amended ARC 8844C, effective 2/26/25 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (3)

agreements or contracts between locators and owners to pay compensation to recover or assist in the recovery of abandoned property are unenforceable if made within 24 months of the date the property was received by the division.
In no case shall the locator fees or compensation exceed 15 percent of the amount of the property subject to claim.
Payment for all claims made to an owner who has been assisted by a finder shall be made only to the owner and in no instance to the finder.
La. R.S. 9:177 Louisiana State Legislature · legis.la.gov · code text as displayed Nov. 3, 2026; history line in text · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (2)

B. For his services, a fiduciary agent shall be entitled to compensation of an amount not to exceed ten percent of the total claim value.
A. An agreement by an owner to pay compensation to locate, deliver, recover, or assist in the recovery of property that is presumed abandoned is void and unenforceable if it was entered into during the period commencing on the date the property was presumed abandoned and extending to a time that is twenty-four months after the date the property is paid or delivered to the administrator.
La. R.S. 9:153 Louisiana State Legislature · legis.la.gov · code text as displayed Nov. 3, 2026; history line in text · checked Nov. 3, 2026

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(10) "Fiduciary agent" means a representative of an owner whose services provided to the owner include locating, delivering, recovering, or assisting in the recovery of property to the owner, and shall be limited to Louisiana licensed attorneys, certified public accountants, and financial advisors.
33 M.R.S. §2201 Maine Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes · legislature.maine.gov · page data extracted 10/05/2026 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (2)

An agreement by an owner the primary purpose of which is to locate, deliver, recover or assist in the recovery of property that is presumed abandoned is void and unenforceable if it was entered into during the period commencing on the date the property was presumed abandoned and extending to a time that is 24 months after the date the property is paid or delivered to the administrator.
Fees or compensation under agreements made more than 24 months but less than 36 months after the date the property is paid or delivered to the administrator may not exceed 15%.
Law & Policy Office of the Maine State Treasurer · maineunclaimedproperty.gov · read Nov. 3, 2026; page undated · checked Nov. 3, 2026

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Heirfinders must be private investigators licensed in Maine (Some exceptions apply).
N.D.C.C. chapter 47-30.2, Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act North Dakota Legislative Branch · legis.nd.gov · PDF created June 30, 2025 (after 2025 HB 1149); same file the program site links as /docs/ND_Revised_Uniform_UCP_Act.pdf · checked Nov. 3, 2026

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States the amount of the fee or other compensation to be paid, which may not be in excess of ten percent of the amount recovered;
Utah Admin. Code R966-1, Unclaimed Property Act Rules Utah Office of Administrative Rules · adminrules.utah.gov · effective 09/09/2026 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

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Fees for discovering property that has been in the custody of the administrator for more than 24 months shall be limited to not more than 20% of the amount collected.
If the finder charges a contingent fee, a copy of the active private detective license issued by the Utah Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) to the finder.
Notwithstanding anything in this Section to the contrary, a licensed attorney, licensed CPA or a licensed CPA firm may pursue a claim for recovery of specifically identified property held by the administrator or to contest the administrator's denial of a claim for recovery of the property provided he or she has an attorney-client relationship with the apparent owner.
neither the holder nor such third party may charge the apparent owner a fee to indicate an interest in property presumed abandoned or to otherwise prevent the reporting and remitting of property presumed abandoned to the administrator.
Utah Code Title 67 Chapter 4a, Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act (chapter PDF) Utah Legislature · le.utah.gov · chapter PDF as served Nov. 3, 2026; shows amendments through the 2026 General Session · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

Subject to Subsection (2), an agreement under Section 67-4a-1301 is void if the agreement is entered into during the period beginning on the date the property was paid or delivered by a holder to the administrator and ending 24 months after the payment or delivery.
Wyoming Statutes Title 34, Chapter 24 - Uniform Unclaimed Property Act (W.S. 34-24-101 through 34-24-140) Wyoming Legislature (Legislative Service Office) · wyoleg.gov · PDF compiled May 8, 2026 (PDF creation date; HTTP Last-Modified Fri, 08 May 2026) · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

All agreements from claimants to pay compensation to a third-party researcher to recover or assist in the recovery of property reported under W.S. 34-24-118, made within twenty-four (24) months after the date payment or delivery is made from the holder to the state of Wyoming under W.S. 34-24-120, are unenforceable.
Act No. 6999 (Bill No. 27-0161): Virgin Islands Uniform Unclaimed Property Act, 28 V.I.C. ch. 29 (scanned; manual transcription) Legislature of the Virgin Islands (published by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor) · ltg.gov.vi · passed March 19, 2008; approved April 12, 2008 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (2)

(a) An agreement by an owner, the primary purpose of which is to locate, deliver, recover, or assist in the recovery of property that is presumed abandoned is void and unenforceable if it was entered into during the period commencing on the date the property was presumed abandoned and extending to a time that is 24 months after the date the property is paid or delivered to the administrator.
(d) An agreement covered by this section which provides for compensation that is unconscionable is unenforceable except by the owner.
Claim Form and Unclaimed Property Checklist for Required Documentation (Claim-Form-and-Requirements-4.23.19) Office of the Mississippi State Treasurer · treasury.ms.gov · form version dated 4.23.19 in file name · checked Nov. 3, 2026

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The OST WILL NOT deduct fees from any paid claim on behalf of either the claimant or the finder.
The finder MAY NOT charge any claimant fees totaling more than 10 percent of the paid claim;
The finder MAY NOT collect any fees associated with properties which have been held by the state less than 7 months.
33 M.R.S. §2155 Maine Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes · legislature.maine.gov · page data extracted 10/05/2026 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

If a claimant has an agreement pursuant to subchapter 13 with a professional investigator licensed under Title 32, chapter 89, the administrator shall deliver the payment or property to the professional investigator.
FAQ: Fee Finder Utah Office of State Treasurer · mycash.utah.gov · undated page · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

A Fee Finder (Heir/Certified Finder) is a person that seeks to find Unclaimed Property and return it to rightful property owners (or heirs) for a fee.