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

When someone passes away in Washington, they may leave behind unclaimed money or property they never collected. This can include old bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance payments, utility deposits, and more. In Washington, these funds are usually turned over to the Washington State Department of Revenue’s Unclaimed Property program until the rightful owner—or their heirs—claim them.

This guide from HowToGetAssistance.org explains how heirs in Washington can typically locate and claim unclaimed assets for a deceased relative through official state channels. This site is not a government office and does not accept or process claims, but it can help you understand the usual steps so you can move forward confidently with the appropriate agency.

What “Unclaimed Property” Means in Washington

In Washington, unclaimed property usually refers to financial assets that have had no activity for a set period of time and that a business could not return to the owner. Typical examples include:

• Bank accounts (savings, checking, CDs)
• Uncashed checks (payroll, vendor, refund, or dividend checks)
• Utility deposits or refunds
• Insurance benefits or payouts
• Safe deposit box contents
• Investment accounts, stock dividends, or mutual funds
• Gift certificates or prepaid cards (in some cases)

When businesses cannot locate the owner after a legally required waiting period, they are usually required to send the money to Washington State’s unclaimed property program. The state then holds it until the owner or a legal heir submits a valid claim.

Who Can Claim Unclaimed Assets for a Deceased Person in Washington?

To claim unclaimed property for someone who has died in Washington, you generally must show that you are a legal heir or that you are authorized to act for the estate.

Common eligible claimants include:

• Executor or personal representative of the estate
• Administrator of the estate (if appointed by a court)
• Spouse or registered domestic partner
• Children, stepchildren, or grandchildren
• Parents or siblings, if there is no surviving spouse or child
• Other relatives defined by Washington’s intestate succession laws (if there was no will)

You may qualify as an heir even if there was no probate case, but your documentation requirements can differ.

If you are unsure whether you are a legal heir under Washington law, you may want to:

• Review any will or estate planning documents
• Check whether a probate case was opened in a Washington court
• Ask a Washington probate or estate attorney for guidance, especially in complex situations

Step 1: Search for Unclaimed Property in Washington

The first step is to see if your deceased relative has any unclaimed assets listed with the state.

In Washington, people typically:

1. Go to the Washington State unclaimed property search website (official Department of Revenue site).
2. Enter the deceased person’s full name (try variations such as middle initials, maiden names, former married names).
3. Narrow the search using the last known address, city, or zip code if possible.
4. Review the results for:
   • Owner name
   • Last known address
   • Business or organization that reported the property
   • Approximate property type or category

If the deceased person lived in other states, you may also need to search their unclaimed property sites separately, since unclaimed property is usually held by the state where the business is located or where the person last lived.

Step 2: Determine What Type of Claim You Need to File

When you find unclaimed property listed under a deceased person’s name in Washington, the state usually classifies claims in a few common ways:

Common Claim Types for Heirs

• Heir claim (no probate estate)
  Used when you are an heir and no probate case was opened, or the estate is very small. You must show your relationship to the deceased and how you are entitled to the funds.

• Estate claim with a personal representative
  Used when there is an open probate case and a court-appointed personal representative (executor or administrator). The personal representative usually files on behalf of the estate.

• Estate claim with a closed probate
  Used when the probate case is already closed and the estate was distributed. Additional documents may be needed to show how the property should now be distributed.

The Washington State Department of Revenue typically spells out which form or claim category to use. When in doubt, you can usually contact the unclaimed property division by phone or email for clarification.

Step 3: Gather the Documents You’ll Likely Need

The exact documents required can vary based on claim type, relationship, and property value, but most heir claims in Washington involve some combination of:

Identity and Relationship

• Government-issued photo ID
  • Driver’s license
  • State ID
  • Passport
• Proof of Social Security number (if requested)
• Birth certificate, marriage certificate, or other official record showing your relationship to the deceased (for example, your birth certificate plus their death certificate to prove parent-child relationship)

Documents About the Deceased

• Death certificate (certified copy is commonly requested)
• Obituary, if requested, to help demonstrate family relationships
• Proof of last known address (old bills, tax records, or other mail) if required to match the claim

Estate or Probate Documents (if any)

If there was a probate case in Washington (or another state), you might need:

• Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration showing you are the court-appointed personal representative
• Copy of the will, if one exists
• Court order of distribution or final accounting showing who inherited the estate
• Small estate affidavit (if applicable under Washington’s small estate procedures)

Property-Specific Documents

Sometimes the state asks for documents related to the specific unclaimed asset, such as:

• Old account statements
• Stock certificates
• Insurance policy documents
• Pay stubs for uncashed payroll checks
• Statements from the business that originally held the funds

If you do not have these, it does not always prevent a claim, but having them can make proof easier.

At-a-Glance: Common Heir Claim Types and Typical Documents

*Exact requirements are determined by the Washington State Department of Revenue – Unclaimed Property office and may vary by case.

Step 4: Submit Your Claim Through Official Washington Channels

In Washington, unclaimed property claims are typically submitted:

• Online through the official Washington State unclaimed property portal, or
• By mail, using printed claim forms and copies of your documents

Common steps include:

1. Start the claim from the search results page
   • When you find property in the deceased person’s name, there is usually an option like “Claim” or “File a claim.”
2. Select the correct claimant type
   • Choose “Heir,” “Estate representative,” or another category that fits your situation.
3. Enter claimant and decedent information
   • Your name, address, contact info
   • Deceased person’s full legal name, date of birth, date of death, and last known address
4. Upload or attach documentation
   • Online systems often allow you to upload scanned copies.
   • For mail, you generally send photocopies, not originals, unless the instructions specifically require originals.
5. Sign required forms
   • Some claims may need a notarized signature, especially for higher-value amounts or complex estates.
6. Submit and keep copies
   • Keep a copy or screenshot of your claim confirmation number and all documents you sent.

HowToGetAssistance.org does not process or forward claims. You must submit your claim directly through the official Washington State Department of Revenue Unclaimed Property website or mailing address listed on their materials.

What Happens After You File an Heir Claim in Washington?

After you submit your claim, the Washington unclaimed property office generally:

1. Reviews your application and documents
   • Confirms you are the correct heir or estate representative
   • Verifies identity, relationship, and entitlement
2. Requests more information if needed
   • You may receive a letter, email, or phone call asking for additional documentation or clarification.
3. Approves or denies the claim
   • If approved, they typically issue a check or transfer the funds as directed by their procedures.
   • For safe deposit box contents, there may be additional steps or timeframes.
4. Timeframe
   • Processing time can vary. Smaller, straightforward claims may be resolved faster; complex estates or missing documents can take longer. Many people experience processing times ranging from a few weeks to several months, depending on the workload and complexity.

If it has been significantly longer than the timeframes the agency lists in its materials, you can usually call the unclaimed property office or use any available online claim status tool to check progress.

Common Reasons Heir Claims Get Delayed or Denied in Washington

Many delays or denials come from documentation issues rather than ineligibility. Common problems include:

• Missing proof of relationship
  • Not providing a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or other records connecting you to the deceased.
• Incomplete probate information
  • If the estate went through probate, failing to provide Letters Testamentary, Letters of Administration, or relevant court orders.
• Incorrect claim type selected
  • For example, filing as an individual heir when the property legally belongs first to the estate.
• Unclear or conflicting names
  • Name changes, nicknames, or different spellings without supporting documentation (e.g., marriage certificate for a new last name).
• Illegible or poor-quality document scans
  • Documents that are too blurry or cut off, leading to requests to resubmit.
• Out-of-date contact information
  • Not updating your mailing address or phone number, causing you to miss requests for more information.

If a claim is denied, the decision letter usually explains why. In some cases, you can fix the issue and reapply with better documentation.

How Appeals or Reviews Usually Work

Washington’s unclaimed property office may have a process for:

• Requesting reconsideration if a claim was denied
• Submitting additional documents or explanations
• Asking for a supervisor review if you believe there was an error

In complicated cases—especially those involving multiple heirs, contested estates, or ambiguous legal rights—you may benefit from consulting:

• A Washington attorney familiar with probate and estate law
• The clerk’s office of the probate court that handled the estate, to obtain court records or guidance on next steps

The unclaimed property office cannot usually give legal advice, but it can tell you what documentation it needs to proceed.

If There Was No Probate in Washington

Many families never open a formal probate case, especially if:

• The deceased did not own real estate in their sole name, or
• The total value of assets was relatively small

In Washington, if there was no probate, you may still be able to claim unclaimed property as an heir. The state might require:

• A small estate affidavit or similar sworn statement
• Copies of birth and marriage certificates to show the family tree
• A death certificate
• A list of all heirs who are entitled to the property under Washington’s intestacy laws

The exact process can vary, so it is important to carefully read instructions on the official unclaimed property claim forms or contact the office for clarification.

Multiple Heirs: How Washington Typically Handles Shared Claims

When there are multiple heirs (for example, several siblings), Washington may:

• Require each heir to file a separate claim for their share, or
• Accept a claim filed by a court-appointed personal representative, who then distributes funds according to probate orders or state law

You may need:

• A family tree or list of surviving relatives
• Consent forms from other heirs, in some cases
• Probate documents showing each heir’s percentage of the estate

If heirs disagree about entitlement, the unclaimed property office may hold or deny claims until the dispute is resolved through a court order or legal agreement.

Alternatives if You Don’t Qualify as an Heir

If you are not a legal heir, personal representative, or otherwise entitled under Washington law, you typically cannot claim unclaimed property for a deceased person. However, you may still be able to help the rightful heirs by:

• Informing the surviving spouse, children, or parents that unclaimed property exists
• Suggesting they contact a Washington estate attorney or legal aid office for help
• Providing them with any documents you have that could support their claim

In some rare cases, a person or organization may be appointed as a successor or special administrator by a court, but that usually requires formal legal proceedings.

Verifying You Are Using Official Washington Channels (Avoiding Scams)

Because unclaimed property involves money, it can attract scams. To protect yourself:

• Use official state resources
  • Make sure the website clearly identifies itself as the Washington State Department of Revenue or the official unclaimed property program.
• Be cautious of fees
  • The state usually allows you to claim unclaimed property without any fee.
  • Some “finders” or “heir locator” services may charge a percentage to help search and submit claims. They may be legal but are not required to access your property.
• Watch for red flags
  • Requests to pay upfront fees to “release” your property
  • Emails or calls asking for full Social Security numbers, bank account logins, or other sensitive information outside official channels
  • Pressure to act immediately or secrecy demands
• Check contact information
  • Use phone numbers and mailing addresses listed in official Washington State government directories or on printed materials from state offices.
• Protect your documents
  • Send only copies unless the agency explicitly asks for originals.
  • Use secure mail or online upload portals provided by the state.

If you are unsure whether a site, letter, or call is legitimate, you can independently look up the Washington Department of Revenue main phone line and ask to be connected to the unclaimed property division to verify.

Additional Help Finding and Claiming Assets

Beyond Washington’s unclaimed property program, heirs sometimes find:

• Unclaimed life insurance benefits
• Retirement accounts (401(k), pension benefits)
• Federal benefits (such as uncashed federal checks)
• Out-of-state unclaimed property where the deceased previously lived or held accounts

Places to consider checking:

• The Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner for insurance-related questions
• The Social Security Administration or relevant federal agencies for federal benefit payments
• Unclaimed property programs in other states where the deceased may have lived or worked
• Past employers, unions, or pension plan administrators

If the situation feels overwhelming, some people reach out to:

• A Washington probate or estate attorney
• Legal aid organizations in Washington for low- or no-cost legal guidance (for those who qualify)
• 211 (by dialing 2-1-1 in many areas) for referrals to local legal help and community resources

By understanding how heir claims work in Washington—who can claim, what documents are needed, and how to use the state’s official channels—you can take practical next steps to recover unclaimed assets that may rightfully belong to your family.