Unclaimed Assets Basics: Find and Claim Money That May Be Yours

Many people have unclaimed assets they don’t know about, from forgotten bank accounts and old paychecks to utility deposits and insurance payouts. This Unclaimed Assets Basics collection explains what unclaimed property is, how it gets separated from owners, and simple steps to check whether money is owed to you or your family.

The articles walk through where to search, what information you may need, and how to avoid scams while claiming funds safely. With clear explanations and practical examples, these resources are designed to help you understand your options, make smarter decisions, and feel more confident taking your next step toward claiming what you’re entitled to.

Unclaimed Assets Basics

Are Unclaimed Assets Taxable? (general Overview)

Finding out you have unclaimed money or property in your name can feel like a surprise payday. But one of the first questions many people ask is: “Will I have to pay taxes on this?”

Unclaimed Assets Basics

Claiming Unclaimed Assets For a Deceased Relative (overview)

When someone passes away, they may leave behind unclaimed money or property that no one in the family knows about. This can include forgotten bank accounts, old paychecks, insurance benefits, refunds, or even stocks. Many families only find out years later that a deceased relative had unclaimed assets.

Unclaimed Assets Basics

How Long Claims Usually Take (and What Slows Them Down)

Finding out you might have unclaimed money or property in your name is exciting — until you realize you may have to wait weeks or even months to actually receive it. Understanding how long unclaimed property claims usually take, what slows them down, and what you can do to keep things moving can make the process much less stressful.

Unclaimed Assets Basics

How To Search For Unclaimed Money For Free (and Avoid Paid Traps)

Many people have unclaimed money waiting for them and do not realize it. This can include forgotten bank accounts, old payroll checks, utility deposits, insurance refunds, and more.

Unclaimed Assets Basics

How To Spot Unclaimed Property Scams And Fake Recovery Sites

Unclaimed property can be a real thing: money from old bank accounts, paychecks, insurance payouts, and other assets that were never claimed and eventually turned over to a state unclaimed property program.

Unclaimed Assets Basics

How Unclaimed Property Works: Dormancy, Reporting, State Custody

Unclaimed property can sound mysterious, but the basic idea is simple: it is money or assets that belong to you (or your family, or your business) that a company or institution could not successfully deliver and eventually turned over to the state.

Unclaimed Assets Basics

The Most Common Types Of Unclaimed Assets (checks, Deposits, Insurance, Stocks)

Unclaimed money is more common than many people realize. Old paychecks, forgotten bank accounts, uncashed insurance payouts, and stocks left behind after a move or a death in the family can all end up in government custody as unclaimed property.

Unclaimed Assets Basics

What To Do If You Don't Have Old Paperwork

If you think you might have unclaimed money or property but you no longer have the old paperwork, you are not alone. Many people move, change banks, change jobs, or lose files over the years, then later hear about unclaimed assets and worry they can’t prove anything.

Unclaimed Assets Basics

What Unclaimed Assets Are (and What They Aren't)

Many people hear about “unclaimed money” or “unclaimed assets” and wonder if they might have funds waiting for them. At the same time, there is a lot of confusion about what really counts as an unclaimed asset—and what definitely does not.

Unclaimed Assets Basics

What You Need To File a Claim (ID, Address Proof, Ownership Proof)

Finding out you might have unclaimed money or property in your name can be exciting—but you only actually receive it if you file a claim through the official agency and provide the right documents.