Discover Hidden Treasures: Florida Unclaimed Property Guide
Imagine stumbling upon a pot of gold, like missing money in Florida, that’s been waiting specifically for you all these years. As unbelievable as it sounds, according to Florida Department of Financial Services, the state of Florida unclaimed property is estimated to be over 2 billion in unclaimed. That’s right – Florida is currently holding billions of dollars in property – including cold hard cash – just waiting to be claimed by rightful owners like you. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Could some of that unclaimed money in Florida belong to you?
Keep reading to find out what constitutes unclaimed property, why Florida has so much of it, and most importantly, how to search Florida’s unclaimed property records to see if the state is holding onto money or assets that are legally yours.
What is Unclaimed Property?
Unclaimed property refers to any financial assets that have gone unclaimed for a specific time. They can be left behind for a variety of reasons. You may have moved and forgotten to update your address, or you had an account or policy that you forgot about. In some cases, it can result from the owner’s death, with the assets being left behind and unclaimed by the surviving heirs. Common examples include:
- Bank accounts or uncashed checks
- Refunds, rebates, deposits, credit balances
- Stocks, mutual funds, dividends, uncashed dividends
- Expired gift cards/store credits
- Utility security deposits
- Inheritances, insurance payouts, trust disbursements
- Royalty payments
- Physical safe deposit box contents
When a financial institution or business loses contact with the legal owner for one year in Florida, the unclaimed asset gets handed over to the Florida Division of Unclaimed Property. The state then holds these forgotten funds or items until claimed by rightful owners.
Why so much unclaimed property in Florida
With over 32 million yearly visitors, constant influxes of retiree transplants from other states, and regular moves within Florida itself, contact gets lost between people and their assets.
Furthermore, given Florida’s sizable elderly population, unclaimed inheritance money left behind by deceased relatives remains a common source of unclaimed property finds.
When Floridians forget to close or transfer bank accounts and investment holdings prior to moving, deaths result in unclaimed inheritance disbursements, or insurance policies and contents of abandoned safe deposit boxes go unmanaged, unclaimed property piles up rapidly.
How do you check if you have unclaimed money in Florida?
Wondering if you have overlooked funds or valuables held by Florida Unclaimed Property Division? Searching is fast and easy using the state’s free online database.
Step 1: Visit FLTreasureHunt.gov – This official state website lets you to search for Florida unclaimed property held under your name or former legal names, maiden names, business names, or deceased relatives’ names.
Step 2: Enter Identifying Details – Search using your current name, maiden name, former addresses, city of residence, zip code, or a deceased relative’s information. For extra searches for missing money in Florida, try business names or trusts connected to your social security number.
Step 3: Claim Your Property! – If search results show unclaimed property owed to you, file your claim through the website by creating an account or print a claim form to mail. Submit details verifying identification along with supporting documents showing your rights to the assets.
Once the state processes your claim, the property gets released to you! Certain property types may have different claiming procedures to follow.
Tips for checking Florida unclaimed property
Implement these helpful tips when searching out forgotten funds or valuables through Florida unclaimed property program:
- Check Often: New assets enter the system daily, so check back regularly!
- Use Multiple Names: Try current legal name, maiden name, former married names, and deceased relatives.
- Verify Old Addresses: Search old Florida addresses you’ve lived at over the years.
- Business Search: Check under business names if you’ve owned Florida-based companies.
- All Family Members: Conduct searches for parents, grandparents, children, and extended family.
- Join Claim Tracking: Use state’s free e-newsletter for claim reminders and searches.
By using the search tool and looking thoroughly under different identifying details, you increase your chances of finding unclaimed property such as lost or forgotten money, stock holdings, physical valuables, or other assets owed to you!
Common questions about Florida unclaimed property
How can property be claimed after someone dies? Once the required estate administration paperwork is filed, inheritance disbursements that remain unclaimed transform into “heir finder” cases, awaiting for a claimant to file a claim. Heir finders research family trees, locate rightful heirs, and assist them with claiming inherited unclaimed property in Florida.
What types of physical items show up in safe deposit boxes? Abandoned safe deposit box contents cover a wide variety including jewelry, coins, stamps, rare collectibles, stock certificates, personal records, and more. Box inventories get turned over to Florida after 3 years of inactivity.
Are there scams relating to Florida unclaimed property? Yes, be wary of any company promising to locate unclaimed money and asking for payment upfront or taking a fee from located cash. It isn’t necessary to pay anyone to search state databases for you when claiming your unclaimed property. Report scams to Florida Department of Financial Services if you spot any. Legitimate heir finder services like National Association of Unclaimed Property work on commission after completed claims.
Can Florida unclaimed property be claimed anonymously? No, to claim property held by Florida you must verify identity by submitting a claim form with your name, contact details, former addresses, and provide documentation like a copy of your photo ID, Social Security card, or business documents. Assets get appropriately distributed to verified owners.
Does unclaimed money in Florida expire? No. As long as proof of ownership gets furnished, Florida places no limit on how long unclaimed property stays on record, though specific banking time limitations exist. File your claim with Florida Department of Financial Services whenever you discover forgotten funds owed to you.
Start your search of unclaimed funds today!
Don’t let your hard-earned money or valuables sit forgotten in the state’s coffers. Locating hidden riches among Florida unclaimed property takes just minutes.
Visit FLTreasureHunt.gov now to search under different names, former addresses, and deceased family members. You may uncover forgotten inheritance funds, leftover investment accounts, uncashed rebate checks, jewelry heirlooms thought lost, and more!
With billions in unclaimed assets waiting, see what concealed treasures you can claim as your own today in just a few clicks!
