Heir Claims in Indiana: How to Claim Unclaimed Assets for a Deceased Relative

If a family member has passed away in Indiana, they may have unclaimed money or property sitting with the state—things like forgotten bank accounts, old paychecks, utility deposits, or insurance proceeds. Indiana holds this property until the rightful owner or heir comes forward.

This guide explains, in plain language, how heir claims in Indiana usually work, what you may need to provide, and how to move forward through official state channels. HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational resource only; it is not an official government office and cannot process claims for you.

What Is Unclaimed Property in Indiana?

In Indiana, unclaimed property (sometimes called unclaimed assets) generally refers to money or property that:

• Belonged to a person or business
• Has had no contact or activity for a certain period (for example, 1–5 years depending on the type of asset)
• Was turned over to the State of Indiana for safekeeping

Common examples include:

• Bank accounts (savings, checking, CDs)
• Uncashed checks, such as payroll or refunds
• Utility deposits and refunds
• Insurance proceeds or dividends
• Old retirement accounts or brokerages
• Safe deposit box contents (jewelry, documents, coins, etc.)

The state typically holds these items until the owner—or, if the owner has died, an heir or legal representative—files a claim.

When Can an Heir Claim Unclaimed Assets in Indiana?

You may be able to file an heir claim for a deceased relative in Indiana if:

• The property is listed under the deceased person’s name, and
• You have a legal relationship that entitles you to inherit, or
• You are the executor/administrator of their estate (sometimes called a personal representative in probate court).

Typical eligible claimants may include:

• Spouse of the deceased
• Children or stepchildren
• Parents of the deceased (if no spouse/children)
• Siblings or other relatives, depending on Indiana’s inheritance rules
• A court-appointed personal representative or executor
• An attorney or other representative formally authorized to act for the estate or heirs

Indiana follows specific intestate succession laws (who inherits if there is no will). In many heir claims, the state will look to those laws—or to a valid will or court order—to decide who is entitled to the unclaimed assets.

Because inheritance rules can be complicated, especially if there are multiple heirs or no close relatives, some people choose to consult an Indiana probate or estate attorney for legal advice. The state’s unclaimed property office typically cannot give personal legal advice.

Step 1: Search for Unclaimed Property in Indiana

To start, you usually need to search the official Indiana unclaimed property database:

1. Go to the official unclaimed property website for the State of Indiana (typically maintained by the Indiana Attorney General or State Treasurer).
2. Search by:
   • The deceased relative’s full name
   • Any prior names (maiden names, previous married names)
   • Possible misspellings or name variations
3. Also search by:
   • Your own name, in case you personally have unclaimed property
   • Names of other deceased relatives, if relevant

If there is a match, the website usually shows:

• The name on the account
• The holder (for example: bank, insurance company, employer)
• The type of property (e.g., wages, checking account, insurance)
• Sometimes an approximate value range

You can then typically begin an online claim or print forms to file by mail with the Indiana unclaimed property office.

Step 2: Confirm You Are an Eligible Heir or Representative

Before filing, it helps to figure out how you are connected to the deceased and whether you’re claiming:

• As an individual heir (e.g., adult child, spouse, parent), or
• On behalf of the estate (as a personal representative, executor, or administrator)

You will usually need to show:

• Your relationship to the deceased, and
• Your legal right to collect the property.

If there is a will that has already gone through probate, the person named as executor or personal representative often has authority to handle unclaimed property for the estate.

If there was no will, the heirs may be determined by Indiana’s intestate succession rules. In smaller estates, there may be simplified procedures, such as:

• Small estate affidavits, or
• Other abbreviated probate options, depending on the total estate value and type of assets.

These probate-related rules are set by Indiana law and can be shaped by the county probate court. For questions about your specific situation, contacting a local probate court or a licensed Indiana attorney is often helpful.

Step 3: Gather the Required Documents

Heir claims almost always require documentation to prove:

• The property belonged to the deceased person, and
• You are legally entitled to receive it.

The exact documents depend on the situation, but commonly requested items include:

Basic identification and proof of ownership

• Your government-issued photo ID
  • Driver’s license, passport, or state ID
• Proof of your current address
  • Utility bill, bank statement, lease, or tax document
• Proof that the property belonged to the deceased
  • May be inferred from the deceased’s name and last-known address, but sometimes extra documents are requested, like old account statements or correspondence.

Proof of death and relationship

• Death certificate of the deceased owner (certified copy is usually required)
• Birth certificate (if you are a child of the deceased)
• Marriage certificate (if you are the surviving spouse)
• Obituary or funeral program (occasionally requested as supporting evidence)
• Family tree or heirship affidavit (if multiple heirs are involved or no close relatives exist)

Estate and legal documents

• Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration
  • These are court documents showing you are the official personal representative of the estate.
• Copy of the will (if available and relevant)
• Small estate affidavit or similar forms
  • If the estate qualifies for a simplified process under Indiana law.
• Court orders relating to the estate or distribution of assets
  • For example, orders approving final distribution.

Below is a simple summary of typical documents and when they may be requested.

*Exact requirements can vary by case. The Indiana unclaimed property office sets the official documentation list for each claim.

Step 4: File the Heir Claim with the State of Indiana

Once you have your documents ready, you typically submit a claim directly through Indiana’s official unclaimed property system.

Common options include:

1. Online submission

   • Start a claim in the official online portal.
   • Enter details about the deceased and your relationship.
   • Upload scanned copies or clear photos of required documents.
   • Submit the claim for review.

2. Mail-in claim

   • Print the official claim form from the state website or request one from the unclaimed property office.
   • Complete the form fully and accurately.
   • Attach photocopies of all requested documents (do not usually send originals unless specifically instructed).
   • Mail the package to the address listed on the official form (often an Indiana Attorney General or Treasurer address).

3. Occasional in-person options

   • In some cases, you may be able to visit a state office or special outreach event.
   • Availability depends on state practices at the time; check with the official unclaimed property office or state agency hotline for current options.

HowToGetAssistance.org cannot accept or forward your forms. You must file directly with the appropriate Indiana state office or through their official portal.

Step 5: What Happens After You Submit an Heir Claim?

Once your heir claim is received, the Indiana unclaimed property office will usually:

1. Acknowledge receipt

   • If you filed online, you may see a confirmation screen or receive a confirmation email.
   • If you filed by mail, your first notice may be a letter or status update once your claim is entered into their system.

2. Review the claim

   • Staff will check that your documents:
     • Prove the deceased’s ownership of the property, and
     • Show your legal right to claim as heir or representative.
   • They may compare your information with probate court records, or request more documents if something is unclear.

3. Request additional information (if needed)

   • You might receive a letter or email asking for:
     • More detailed proof of relationship
     • Additional court documents
     • Clarification on other potential heirs

4. Approve or deny the claim

   • If approved, the state usually issues a check payable to:
     • You, as an individual heir, or
     • The estate (if you’re acting as personal representative).
   • If denied, you should receive an explanation, often with guidance about what might be missing or how to correct the issue.

Typical timelines

Processing time can vary depending on:

• Volume of claims the office is handling
• Complexity of your case (single heir vs. multiple heirs, missing documents, etc.)
• Whether additional documents are requested

Many straightforward claims are resolved within several weeks to a few months, but more complex situations may take longer.

For updates, you can usually:

• Check status through the official online portal, or
• Call the Indiana unclaimed property office phone number listed on state materials.

Common Reasons Heir Claims Are Delayed or Denied

People often experience delays or denials for reasons that can sometimes be avoided with careful preparation. Typical issues include:

• Missing or incomplete documents
  • Example: No death certificate or no proof of relationship.
• Name mismatches
  • Differences between the name on the property and your documents (maiden vs. married names, spelling errors, initials vs. full names).
• Unclear heirship
  • Multiple potential heirs, disputes within the family, or no obvious next of kin.
• No proof of authority
  • A person claiming on behalf of an estate without Letters Testamentary or equivalent court documents.
• Incorrect or incomplete claim form
  • Not signing where required, leaving key fields blank, or using the wrong type of form.

To reduce the risk of delays:

• Double-check all forms for accuracy and signatures.
• Make sure names and addresses match your IDs as closely as possible.
• Include all requested supporting documents with your initial claim.
• If more than one heir is involved, try to coordinate and follow any state guidance on handling multiple heirs or splitting funds.

How Appeals or Reconsiderations Usually Work

If your heir claim is denied, you may have options, such as:

• Submitting additional documentation
  • Often the first step is simply to provide what was missing or fix an identified issue.
• Requesting a review or reconsideration
  • The denial letter or email may explain how to request further review or whom to contact at the unclaimed property office.
• Involving the probate court or seeking legal advice
  • For complex disputes about who is entitled to the property, an Indiana probate court might need to resolve the issue.
  • A licensed attorney can explain your rights and help you decide on next steps.

Appeal and review procedures can differ by case. Carefully read any letter or notice you receive from the Indiana unclaimed property office for specific instructions and deadlines.

What If You Don’t Qualify as an Heir?

If you are not a legal heir or authorized representative, you generally cannot claim the deceased person’s unclaimed assets directly. However, there may be other routes:

• Ask a legal heir to apply
  • If you are a friend, distant relative, or caregiver, you may be able to inform the legal heir(s) and help them gather information.
• Serve as a representative (with proper authority)
  • In some situations, a non-heir can be appointed by the probate court to serve as an administrator of the estate. This requires a formal legal process.
• Check for other support programs
  • If you were financially dependent on someone who died, you may want to contact:
    • Social Security Administration (for survivors’ benefits)
    • Indiana Department of Child Services or other local agencies (in cases involving children)
    • Local community organizations or 211 for referrals to assistance

These other programs have their own eligibility rules and applications separate from unclaimed property.

Protecting Yourself from Scams

Because unclaimed property and heir searches involve money and sensitive information, it’s important to watch for scam attempts.

Here are practical tips to help ensure you are dealing with legitimate, official channels:

How to verify you’re on an official Indiana site

• The website should clearly identify itself as a State of Indiana resource, often using:
  • A state seal or official branding
  • A .gov web address
• You should see information about unclaimed property, often under:
  • Indiana Attorney General
  • Indiana Treasurer of State
  • Another recognized state financial office

If you are unsure, you can:

• Call a publicly listed phone number for the Indiana Attorney General or Treasurer’s office (from a phone book or official state directory, not from an unsolicited email).
• Ask the operator to confirm the correct unclaimed property website.

Warning signs of a potential scam

• Someone demands upfront fees or a percentage before you can even see whether you have unclaimed property.
• You receive unsolicited texts, emails, or social media messages asking for:
  • Your Social Security number
  • Bank account details
  • Other sensitive personal information
• Messages use high-pressure tactics:
  • “Act now or lose your claim”
  • “Only available for the next 24 hours”
• Communications come from non-official email domains (like free email providers) rather than a verified state government address.

Indiana law may allow legitimate “heir finders” or asset locators to charge a fee for helping track down unclaimed property, but:

• You do not have to use a paid service—heirs can usually search and claim directly from the state.
• If you choose to work with a third party, read the contract carefully and consider consulting a consumer protection office or attorney before signing.

Where to Get Official Help in Indiana

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on heir claims in Indiana, consider contacting:

• The Indiana unclaimed property office (often part of the Attorney General’s or Treasurer’s office)
  • Use the contact phone number and mailing address from the official state website.
• Your county probate court
  • For questions about wills, Letters Testamentary, small estate procedures, and inheritance disputes.
• A licensed Indiana estate or probate attorney
  • For tailored legal advice, especially in complicated heirship situations.

If you are not sure where to start, you can also:

• Dial 211 in Indiana to reach a community information and referral service, which may be able to point you toward local legal aid or resources.

Remember: HowToGetAssistance.org provides general guidance only. To actually file an heir claim, check claim status, or receive payment, you must go through the State of Indiana’s official unclaimed property channels or the appropriate court and legal professionals.