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

If a loved one has passed away in Virginia, they may have unclaimed money or property still held by the state. These could be old bank accounts, refund checks, utility deposits, insurance payouts, or other assets that were never delivered to them during their lifetime.

This guide explains how heirs and personal representatives in Virginia typically claim those unclaimed assets through official state channels.

HowToGetAssistance.org is not a government agency, legal office, or claim-processing site. This article is meant to help you understand the usual process so you can contact the correct official office and move forward confidently.

What Is “Unclaimed Property” in Virginia?

In Virginia, unclaimed property generally means money or property that belongs to someone but has been inactive or unclaimed for a certain period of time. Businesses and financial institutions are usually required to turn it over to the state’s unclaimed property program after they cannot contact the owner.

For a deceased person, this may include:

• Bank or credit union accounts
• Uncashed checks (payroll, refunds, dividends)
• Insurance policies or annuities
• Utility or rental deposits
• Safe deposit box contents
• Stocks, bonds, or mutual funds
• Retirement account leftovers, in some situations

Virginia’s unclaimed property program holds the property until the rightful owner or heir submits a valid claim. There is typically no fee charged by the state to file a claim directly.

Who Can Claim Unclaimed Property for a Deceased Person in Virginia?

Not everyone can claim money for a deceased person. Virginia usually requires that the person filing the claim has a legal right to the estate or is authorized to act on it.

Common eligible claimants include:

• Executor or personal representative named in the will and appointed by a Virginia court
• Administrator of the estate appointed when there is no will
• Surviving spouse
• Children or other heirs-at-law (when there is no will or after the estate is settled)
• Trustee or representative of a trust, if the property belongs to a trust
• Court-appointed guardian or conservator, in specific situations

Which category applies can depend on:

• Whether there was a will
• Whether the estate was probated (handled through the court)
• The total value of the estate
• Family relationships and Virginia’s intestacy laws (rules for estates without a will)

If you are not sure whether you have the right to claim, you can usually:

• Review any probate documents from the circuit court
• Ask the Virginia unclaimed property office what they require for your situation
• Consider speaking with a Virginia probate or estate attorney for legal advice

Step 1: Search for Unclaimed Property in Virginia

You generally start by searching the state’s unclaimed property database. Virginia maintains an official online search tool where you can look up property by:

• The deceased person’s first and last name
• Possible former names (maiden names, prior married names)
• Business names, if they owned a business

To increase your chances of finding assets:

• Try multiple spellings of the name
• Search old addresses or former cities where the person lived or worked
• Look up both the deceased and any known business entities

If you do not have internet access, you can:

• Call the Virginia unclaimed property office and ask if they can search on your behalf
• Look for unclaimed property outreach booths at state fairs or community events, which some states offer periodically

✅ Tip: Make a list or take screenshots of every property record you find. You will need this information when you start a claim.

Step 2: Identify Yourself as an Heir or Representative

When you locate property belonging to a deceased relative, the claim system usually asks you to choose a claim type, such as:

• Original owner (not applicable in this case)
• Heir
• Executor / Personal Representative
• Trustee
• Business representative

For a deceased relative, most people select Heir or Executor/Personal Representative, depending on whether they have formal court authority over the estate.

The specific information you will be asked for typically includes:

• Your full legal name
• Your relationship to the deceased
• Your current contact information
• Basic details about the decedent (name, last known address, date of death, possibly Social Security number if you have it)

You cannot usually complete the process without later proving your role with documents (covered below).

Step 3: Understand the Documentation You May Need

Virginia usually requires supporting documents to prove:

1. The property owner is deceased
2. You are legally entitled to collect on their behalf
3. The address or identity of the deceased matches the unclaimed property record

The exact documents depend on your situation and claim type, but this table can help you see what is commonly requested:

*Exact requirements can vary. The Virginia unclaimed property office usually provides a claim form or checklist specific to your claim.

Common forms of personal ID you may need:

• State-issued driver’s license or ID card
• U.S. passport
• Social Security card (sometimes requested)
• Proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, bank statement)

Step 4: File an Heir Claim Through Virginia’s Official Channels

Virginia typically allows unclaimed property claims to be started:

• Online through the state’s official unclaimed property portal
• By mail using a printed claim form
• Occasionally in person at special events or the state office (depending on current practices)

A typical online claim process looks like this:

1. Select the property you want to claim from the search results.
2. Choose the claim type (e.g., Heir, Executor).
3. Enter details about:
   • The deceased person
   • Your relationship
   • Your contact information
4. Submit the claim request electronically.
5. The system may instruct you to:
   • Upload scanned copies of required documents, or
   • Print a claim form, sign it, and mail it with copies of your documents.

A typical mail-in claim process looks like this:

1. Call or visit the Virginia unclaimed property office website and request or download a claim form.
2. Fill in:
   • Claim number(s) or property ID(s)
   • Your information and relationship to the deceased
   • Estate details (if probated)
3. Attach required documents (copies are usually accepted, but sometimes certified copies are requested).
4. Mail the packet to the address provided on the official form.

HowToGetAssistance.org cannot accept or process claims. To move forward, you must submit your claim directly to the official Virginia unclaimed property program or follow any instructions they provide.

What Happens After You File a Claim?

Once Virginia’s unclaimed property office receives your claim, they typically:

1. Acknowledge receipt

   • If you applied online, you may receive an email or on-screen confirmation.
   • For mail-in claims, you may not receive confirmation until the claim is reviewed.

2. Review your documents
   Staff compare your paperwork to:

   • The information in the unclaimed property record
   • Probate or heirship details
   • Identity and relationship evidence

3. Request additional information (if needed)
   If something is missing or unclear, they may:

   • Send you a letter or email
   • Call you using the contact information you provided

4. Approve or deny the claim

   • If approved, the state issues payment (usually by check) to the appropriate party.
   • If denied, they typically send a letter explaining the reason.

How long does it take?

Processing times can vary based on:

• The complexity of the estate (simple heir vs. multiple heirs, trusts, etc.)
• The number of claims currently pending
• Whether your documents are complete and legible

Many people report that straightforward claims may be processed in a few weeks to a few months, but more complex heirship or probate-related claims can take longer.

Common Reasons Heir Claims Get Delayed or Denied

Understanding typical problems can help you avoid them:

• Missing death certificate or uncertified copy when a certified copy is required
• No proof of relationship (for example, not including a marriage or birth certificate)
• Outdated or incomplete probate documents
• Disagreement among heirs about who should receive payment
• Name mismatches (misspellings, maiden vs. married names, nicknames) that are not explained by documentation
• Old addresses that are not backed up with any records (utility bills, tax returns, etc.)
• Forgetting to sign and date the claim form
• Providing unclear or dark copies of documents that staff cannot read

If your claim is delayed, you can usually:

• Call or email the Virginia unclaimed property office with your claim number
• Confirm whether they received all documents
• Ask if anything else is needed to move the claim forward

How Appeals or Reconsideration Usually Work

If your claim is denied, the state will generally tell you why. Common next steps might include:

• Submitting additional documents that fix the issue (for example, a missing certificate or corrected ID)
• Clarifying your relationship or authority (such as showing updated Letters of Administration)
• Re-filing under a different claim type if you chose the wrong one initially

If you still disagree with the decision, options can vary. Some people:

• Ask the office whether there is a formal appeal or review process
• Consult with a Virginia attorney who handles probate or estate matters
• Review Virginia Code sections related to unclaimed property and estates, if they feel comfortable doing legal research

The unclaimed property office cannot usually give legal advice, but they can explain procedural requirements and what documents they are allowed to accept.

Special Situations: Small Estates and No Probate

Not every estate goes through full probate in Virginia. For small estates, there may be simplified options.

Small estate affidavits

In some circumstances, Virginia allows use of a small estate affidavit or similar document instead of opening a formal probate case. This might apply when:

• The total estate value is under certain legal thresholds
• There is no real estate involved
• There is clear agreement on who the heirs are

If you are using a small estate affidavit, the unclaimed property office may require:

• A copy of the affidavit
• Supporting ID and relationship documents
• A death certificate

Because small estate rules can change and may depend on current law, it is usually wise to:

• Ask the Virginia unclaimed property office what they accept for small estates
• Consider talking with a Virginia attorney or legal aid office if you are unsure

What If the Deceased Lived in Multiple States?

Unclaimed property is often held in the state where the company or property holder reported it, which may or may not be Virginia. For example:

• A bank account opened in another state might be held by that state’s unclaimed property program.
• A company headquartered outside Virginia might report unclaimed wages to its home state.

If your deceased relative moved around, you may want to:

1. Search Virginia’s unclaimed property site, and
2. Search other states where they:
   • Lived
   • Worked
   • Owned property
   • Had bank accounts or insurance policies

Most states have similar official databases and claim processes, though the details can vary.

How to Tell You’re Using an Official Virginia Channel (Scam Avoidance Tips)

Because unclaimed property involves money, scammers sometimes try to charge large “finder’s fees” or trick people into sharing sensitive information.

Use these tips to stay safe:

• Look for .gov:
  The official Virginia state website typically uses a “.gov” domain. Private companies may use “.com,” “.net,” or similar.

• Be wary of fees:
  Virginia’s official unclaimed property program typically does not charge to file a claim directly. Third-party “finders” may legally charge a fee, but it is optional to use them.

• Guard your sensitive information:

  • Do not share your full Social Security number or bank details over email with an unknown source.
  • Make sure you contacted the office using contact information found on a trusted government directory or by calling a main state government line and asking to be transferred.

• Check contact information:
  If someone calls you about unclaimed property:

  • Ask for their name and office
  • Hang up and call back using the official number listed on Virginia’s state government site or in the government section of your phone book

• Read contracts carefully:
  If you choose to work with a private “heir finder” or locator service, carefully review:

  • Fees
  • What they actually do
  • Whether you could get the same result by filing yourself with the state

If something feels suspicious, you can often:

• Contact the Virginia unclaimed property office directly to verify the claim
• Ask your state Attorney General’s consumer protection division about potential scams

If You Do Not Qualify or Cannot Resolve the Claim

Sometimes a person trying to claim may not be the legally recognized heir or representative under Virginia law, or documentation may not exist or be obtainable. Depending on your situation, you might:

• Talk to other family members who might be eligible and able to provide documents
• Request certified copies of records (birth, marriage, death) from the appropriate vital records office
• Consider a consultation with a Virginia estate or probate attorney, especially if:
  • There are multiple heirs and disagreements
  • There is no will and the family structure is complex
  • The amount of unclaimed property is significant

For low-income households, you may be able to contact:

• Legal aid organizations in Virginia
• Local bar association referral services
• 211 by phone to ask about free or low-cost legal resources in your area

Key Takeaways for Heirs Claiming Virginia Unclaimed Property

• Virginia holds unclaimed assets such as bank accounts, checks, insurance, and more until the rightful owner or heir claims them.
• To claim for a deceased relative, you usually must show:
  • Proof of death
  • Proof of your identity
  • Proof of your relationship or legal authority (executor, heir, spouse, etc.)
• You typically start by:
  1. Searching the official Virginia unclaimed property database
  2. Selecting the correct claim type (Heir, Executor, etc.)
  3. Submitting a claim form with supporting documents online or by mail
• The process is handled directly through the Virginia unclaimed property office, not through HowToGetAssistance.org or any private website.
• Careful preparation of documents and use of official government channels can help you avoid delays and protect against scams.

By following these steps and working with Virginia’s official unclaimed property program, many heirs are able to successfully recover funds that rightfully belong to a deceased loved one’s estate.