Helping Americans recover unclaimed state funds since 1999
Your State May Be Holding Money That Belongs to You
Billions of dollars in unclaimed funds sit in state treasuries across America. We find and recover what is rightfully yours -- at no upfront cost.
We pay all attorneys, private investigators, and CPAs required to recover your funds.
Unclaimed property held by states
With unclaimed property programs
Properties in our database
Average processing time
Simple 3-Step Process
How It Works
We handle the entire recovery process from start to finish. No complicated forms, no government runaround, no stress.
We Search
Enter your name and we cross-reference millions of state records to find unclaimed funds in your name or your family members' names.
We File
We handle all the paperwork, government correspondence, and legal filings. You sign a simple agreement and we take care of the rest.
You Get Paid
Once the state approves the claim, funds are released directly to you. Our fee is a small percentage -- and only if we succeed.
Nationwide Coverage
States We Serve
We actively recover unclaimed property in these focus states, with more being added regularly.
California
$10.2B+ unclaimed
Largest unclaimed property program in the US
Florida
$3.5B+ unclaimed
State pays recovery agents directly
Arizona
$1.1B+ unclaimed
No disclosure requirement
New Jersey
$4B+ unclaimed
Searchable database available
Hawaii
$200M+ unclaimed
Written fee disclosure required
South Dakota
$300M+ unclaimed
Fast 4-8 week processing
Real Results
People We Have Helped
Every dollar recovered is money that was sitting unclaimed in a state treasury. Here are some of the people we have helped.
"I had no idea there were funds in my late mother's name. My State Funds handled everything -- all the paperwork, all the follow-up. I received a check within 60 days."
Maria G.
Florida
"I was skeptical at first, but I verified everything through the state's website. They were completely legitimate and made the entire process painless."
Robert T.
California
"They found money from a property my family sold over 15 years ago. We never knew the state was holding surplus funds. Absolutely worth it."
Sandra K.
Arizona
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything You Need to Know About Recovering Your Funds
Unclaimed state funds are financial assets that have been turned over to state governments because the rightful owner could not be located or failed to collect the money within a specified time. These funds originate from many different sources.
The most common include dormant bank accounts (checking, savings, CDs) that have had no activity for a period set by state law, typically three to five years. Insurance companies are another major source -- life insurance proceeds, annuity payments, and uncashed benefit checks frequently go unclaimed when beneficiaries are unaware a policy exists. Utility companies generate unclaimed property through security deposits that were never refunded, overpayments, and final account credits.
Employers contribute through uncashed payroll checks, unredeemed commissions, and uncollected retirement benefits. Courts hold unclaimed bail bonds, court settlements, and escrow funds. Real estate transactions create unclaimed property through earnest money deposits, closing cost refunds, and -- most significantly for our clients -- surplus funds from foreclosure and tax sales. Brokerage accounts, mutual funds, and stock transfers produce unclaimed dividends, interest payments, and share liquidations.
Across all 50 states, these various sources combine to create a pool of unclaimed property currently estimated at over $80 billion. Each state maintains a separate unclaimed property program administered by the State Treasurer, Controller, or Comptroller. Funds remain available to claim for varying periods depending on the state -- some hold them indefinitely, while others eventually absorb them into the general fund after decades. The amounts involved range from a few dollars to hundreds of thousands, with foreclosure surplus claims often falling in the $5,000 to $100,000 range.
These are three distinct categories of unclaimed money, each with different origins, legal frameworks, and recovery processes. Understanding the differences is important because the fees, timelines, and documentation requirements vary significantly between them.
Foreclosure surplus (also called foreclosure overage or mortgage surplus) is created when a property sold at a mortgage foreclosure auction brings more than the total amount owed. The total debt includes the outstanding mortgage balance, accrued interest, attorney fees, court costs, and sale expenses. If the sale price exceeds that total, the excess belongs to the former homeowner. For example, if a property sells at foreclosure auction for $320,000 and the total debt was $240,000, there is $80,000 in surplus funds. These amounts tend to be the largest of the three categories, often ranging from $5,000 to over $100,000. The funds are held by the state or the court that oversaw the foreclosure until the rightful owner files a claim.
Tax sale overages (also called tax surplus or tax deed surplus) arise when a property is sold at a tax lien or tax deed sale for more than the delinquent taxes owed. When a property owner falls behind on property taxes, the government can sell the property (tax deed sale) or sell a lien against the property (tax lien sale) to recover the unpaid taxes. If the sale price exceeds the delinquent taxes, penalties, interest, and sale costs, the excess is a tax sale overage. These amounts tend to be smaller than foreclosure surplus because the underlying debt (back taxes) is typically lower than a mortgage balance, but they can still be substantial -- often $2,000 to $30,000 or more. Tax sale overages are regulated separately from foreclosure surplus in many states, and the claiming process often involves different agencies.
General unclaimed property covers everything else -- bank accounts, insurance proceeds, uncashed checks, securities, safe deposit box contents, utility deposits, and other financial assets that are turned over to the state through the escheatment process. Under each state's Uniform Unclaimed Property Act (or equivalent statute), businesses and financial institutions must report and remit dormant property to the state after a defined holding period (usually 3 to 5 years). The state then holds these assets for the owner. General unclaimed property claims can range from a few dollars to six figures, though most individual claims fall between $100 and $5,000. The recovery process for general unclaimed property involves filing with the state unclaimed property division, which is separate from the courts and agencies that handle foreclosure and tax surplus.
Recovery agent fees are regulated at the state level, and the fee structures differ significantly depending on the type of property being recovered. This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of unclaimed property recovery, so here is a detailed breakdown.
Foreclosure Surplus Recovery Fees: Most states allow recovery agents to charge a contingency fee of up to 30% for foreclosure surplus recovery. This is the most common fee cap across the majority of states. Some states set lower limits: Tennessee caps foreclosure surplus recovery fees at 10% of the recovered amount, plus reimbursement of documented out-of-pocket expenses like Private Investigator fees, certified documents, and notarization costs. Nevada and Arizona cap fees at $2,500 per claim for certain property types. Colorado allows up to 20% but imposes a mandatory 24-month blackout period after the surplus is reported to the state, during which finder agreements cannot be executed. Florida limits fees to 12% of recovered funds plus documented PI costs, and requires recovery agents to post a $500,000 surety bond. Georgia requires attorney involvement for most surplus recovery claims, which adds legal fees on top of the recovery agent's fee. States like Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming are the most agent-friendly, allowing the full 30% contingency with straightforward processes.
Tax Sale Overage Recovery Fees: Tax sale overage fees are often regulated under different statutes than foreclosure surplus. Arkansas, for example, caps finder fees at 10% specifically for tax-related surplus -- a separate cap from its foreclosure surplus rules. Many states apply the same fee cap to both foreclosure and tax sale recoveries, but the claiming process and required documentation differ. The agencies involved are typically county or state tax offices rather than courts, which can affect both the timeline and the paperwork. In states where tax sale and foreclosure surplus are treated identically for fee purposes, the 30% cap generally applies.
General Unclaimed Property (Escheatment) Fees: General unclaimed property finder fees are governed by each state's version of the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act or Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act. These caps range widely. Washington state allows only 5%, making it one of the most restrictive. North Carolina caps fees at $1,000 flat per claim regardless of the amount recovered. Many states set caps between 10% and 20% for general unclaimed property. Some states (including California) have heavily regulated recovery agent activities for escheatment claims, with strict licensing requirements and lower fee caps. A critical difference with general unclaimed property is the waiting period: many states prohibit finder agreements for a set period (typically 24 to 36 months) after the property is reported to the state. This means recovery agents legally cannot enter agreements with owners for recently escheated property.
Our contingency fee for each claim is set at or below the applicable state cap and is clearly stated in your Recovery Agreement before any work begins. We always comply with the lowest applicable fee cap for your specific claim type and state.
We charge nothing upfront. Our business model is 100% contingency-based, which means our fee is a percentage of the funds we successfully recover for you. If we do not recover any money, you owe us nothing. There are no application fees, search fees, consultation fees, or retainer fees.
The exact contingency percentage depends on two factors: the state where your property is held and the type of property being recovered. Each state sets its own maximum fee cap for recovery agents, and we never exceed that cap. For most foreclosure surplus and tax sale overage claims, the standard industry fee is 30% or the state maximum, whichever is lower. For general state unclaimed property claims, the fee is typically lower, ranging from 10% to 20% depending on state regulations.
Here is how the math works in practice. If we recover $50,000 in foreclosure surplus funds for you in a state with a 30% fee cap, our fee would be $15,000, and you would receive $35,000. If the same recovery happened in Tennessee (10% cap), our fee would be $5,000 and you would receive $45,000. In a state like Nevada or Arizona with a $2,500 cap, our fee would be $2,500 regardless of the amount recovered.
The specific percentage for your claim is written into the Recovery Agreement that you sign before we begin any work. There are no surprise fees, no hidden charges, and no add-ons. The number you see in the agreement is the number you pay.
Processing times depend heavily on the state, the type of claim, and the complexity of the documentation involved. Based on our experience processing claims across all 50 states, here are realistic timelines.
Simple claims with a living owner who has current identification and clear ownership documentation can often be resolved in 15 to 55 days in states with efficient processing systems like Virginia, Alabama, and Wyoming. These are straightforward cases where the owner's name matches the records, there are no competing claims, and the state processes claims quickly.
Moderate complexity claims -- such as those where the owner has moved, changed their name, or where additional documentation is required -- typically take 60 to 120 days. This category includes most claims that require secondary verification from the state, additional notarized documents, or multiple rounds of correspondence.
Heir and estate claims are the most complex and time-consuming. When the original property owner has passed away, the state requires proof of death, proof of heirship, and often probate documents or small estate affidavits. If multiple heirs are involved, each must provide identification and sign off on the claim. These claims typically take 90 to 180 days, and complex probate situations can extend to 12 months or more.
We cannot control how fast a state agency processes your claim once it is submitted. Some states have large backlogs, especially after tax season or following major legislative changes. What we can control is the quality and completeness of the initial submission. A well-prepared claim package with all required documentation significantly reduces processing time by avoiding rejections and requests for additional information. That thorough preparation is a core part of our service.
Required documentation varies by state and by the type of claim you are filing. We handle the document preparation and will tell you exactly what is needed for your specific situation. That said, here is a general overview of what states commonly require.
For direct owner claims (where you are the named property owner), you will typically need: a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport); proof of current address (utility bill, bank statement, or lease agreement dated within 90 days); proof of connection to the property (a deed, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or other document showing your name associated with the property address); and a notarized claim form (which we prepare for you).
For heir claims (where the property owner has passed away), additional documentation includes: a certified copy of the death certificate; proof of heirship, which can take several forms -- a will naming you as beneficiary, a trust document, letters testamentary or letters of administration from a probate court, an affidavit of heirship signed by disinterested witnesses, or a court order establishing your right to the estate; government-issued photo ID for each heir claiming a share; and in some states, a small estate affidavit (available when the claim amount falls below the state's small estate threshold, which ranges from $10,000 to $100,000 depending on the state).
For business claims, you will need: articles of incorporation or formation, a certificate of good standing, a resolution authorizing the claim, identification for the authorized signer, and an EIN verification letter from the IRS.
Some states have unique requirements. A few require Social Security Number verification. Others require proof of the original transaction that created the property (like a bank statement showing the account). Some states accept electronic submissions while others require physical mailings with original notarized signatures. We know the specific requirements for every state and handle all of this for you.
Yes. Heirs have a legal right to claim surplus funds and other unclaimed property that belonged to a deceased family member. This is one of the most common types of claims we process, and it accounts for a significant portion of the unclaimed property sitting in state treasuries. Many people simply do not know that their family members had surplus funds from a foreclosure, a forgotten bank account, or an uncashed insurance check.
The legal standing of heirs depends on whether the deceased left a will (testate) or did not leave a will (intestate). If there is a will, the property passes to the named beneficiaries. If there is no will, state intestacy laws determine who inherits, typically following a priority order: surviving spouse first, then children, then parents, then siblings, then more distant relatives.
When filing an heir claim, you do not need to go through full probate in most cases. Many states offer simplified procedures for unclaimed property claims, including small estate affidavits (which allow heirs to claim property below a certain dollar threshold without probate) and affidavits of heirship (sworn statements identifying the heirs and their relationship to the deceased). We determine which path is fastest and least expensive for your situation.
For larger claims or situations where multiple heirs disagree, a probate proceeding may be necessary. In those cases, we can coordinate with qualified attorneys in the relevant state. We handle heir claims regularly and are familiar with the requirements in every state. The documentation gathering is often the most time-consuming part, and that is exactly where our service adds the most value -- we know what each state needs, we prepare the claim packages, and we handle the follow-up.
We serve all 50 US states. Our team has processed claims in every state and is familiar with the specific requirements, agencies, forms, fee structures, and timelines for each one. We have active claims in process across the country at any given time.
Each state has its own unclaimed property division, and the rules vary significantly from state to state. Some states, like Virginia and Alabama, have streamlined processes that make recovery relatively quick. Others, like Florida and Georgia, have more complex requirements including surety bonds, mandatory attorney involvement, or heavy documentation requirements. States like California and New York have some of the largest pools of unclaimed property but also have the most restrictive regulations for recovery agents.
When you work with us, you do not need to learn the rules for your specific state. We handle the research, we know which agency to file with, we prepare the correct forms, and we manage the entire correspondence process. Whether your claim is in a state with a simple online submission process or one that requires notarized originals sent by certified mail, we handle it the same way -- thoroughly and correctly the first time.
No. Foreclosure Recovery Inc. is not a law firm, and no employee or agent of the company is authorized to practice law or provide legal advice. We are a licensed asset recovery administration service. Our work is administrative, not legal. We search for unclaimed property, prepare claim forms, gather documentation, file claims with state agencies, and follow up until funds are disbursed.
The distinction matters because asset recovery and legal representation are different services with different requirements. We do not represent you in court, we do not provide opinions on your legal rights, and we do not handle disputes or litigation. Our role is to navigate the administrative claims process with the relevant state agencies.
In situations where legal representation is actually needed -- such as contested ownership, quiet title actions, complex probate proceedings, or claims in states like Georgia that require attorney involvement -- we can connect you with qualified attorneys who specialize in foreclosure surplus and unclaimed property law. Any legal fees from attorney involvement are separate from our recovery fee and are always disclosed upfront.
We operate under the applicable state laws governing asset recovery agents, finders, and claims administrators. We maintain all required licenses, registrations, and bonds. Our business is transparent: our fee is a contingency percentage stated clearly in writing before work begins, and you only pay if we successfully recover your funds.
The calculation is straightforward in concept, but the details matter because each deduction affects how much surplus is available to the former homeowner.
Surplus funds equal the foreclosure sale price minus all amounts owed. The amounts deducted typically include: the outstanding principal balance on the mortgage at the time of sale; all accrued and unpaid interest from the date of the last payment through the sale date; late fees and penalties that accumulated during the delinquency period; the lender's attorney fees and legal costs for the foreclosure proceeding; court costs and filing fees; property taxes owed at the time of sale (both current and delinquent); any homeowners association (HOA) dues or special assessments that are senior to the mortgage; title search and examination fees; publication costs for the required legal notices; auction and trustee sale fees; and any junior liens that were not extinguished by the foreclosure sale.
Here is a concrete example. A property sells at foreclosure auction for $325,000. The outstanding mortgage balance is $195,000. Accrued interest is $12,000. The lender's legal fees are $8,500. Court costs are $2,200. Delinquent property taxes are $4,800. HOA arrears are $3,500. Trustee fees are $1,800. Total deductions: $227,800. Surplus: $97,200. That $97,200 belongs to the former homeowner.
It is worth noting that the estimated value shown in search results on our website or in state databases may not be the exact amount you receive. The actual surplus is determined by the court or state agency after all valid deductions are applied. In some cases, additional liens or claims may surface that reduce the surplus. In other cases, interest earned while the state held the funds may increase it.
Tax treatment of recovered funds depends on the type of property and your individual circumstances. We are not tax advisors and recommend consulting a CPA or tax attorney for guidance specific to your situation. That said, here is a general overview based on how the IRS and most states treat these recoveries.
The return of your own property is generally not taxable income. If you are recovering surplus funds from the sale of property you owned, the surplus is treated as proceeds from the sale of that property. You would report the sale on your tax return (Schedule D for capital gains), and your tax liability depends on your original cost basis in the property, the sale price, how long you owned it, and whether it was your primary residence (which may qualify for capital gains exclusions under IRC Section 121).
Interest earned while the state held your funds may be taxable. If the state paid interest on the surplus while it was in their custody, that interest is generally reportable as income in the year you receive it.
For heirs receiving surplus funds, the tax treatment depends on whether the estate was subject to estate tax and the stepped-up basis rules at the time of the original owner's death. In many cases, heirs receive a stepped-up cost basis in inherited property, which can reduce or eliminate capital gains tax.
Our recovery fee is generally deductible as a miscellaneous expense or as a cost of sale that reduces your proceeds. Consult your tax advisor about the deductibility in your specific situation.
We provide documentation of the recovery (including the gross amount, our fee, and the net amount paid to you) that you can provide to your tax preparer.
What happens to unclaimed surplus funds varies by state, and this is an important reason to take action rather than wait. In most states, surplus funds from foreclosures and tax sales are held indefinitely for the rightful owner. The state acts as a custodian, not an owner, and the funds remain available to claim for years or even decades.
However, several states have moved toward shorter holding periods. Some states transfer unclaimed surplus into the general fund after a certain number of years (typically 5 to 10 years). Once funds are absorbed into the general fund, recovery becomes significantly more difficult or impossible. A handful of states have enacted legislation that limits the window for claiming foreclosure surplus to specific timeframes -- miss that window, and the money is gone.
Another risk of waiting is that state laws change. A state that currently holds funds indefinitely might pass new legislation shortening the holding period. If you know or suspect that surplus funds exist from a past foreclosure or tax sale, the safest approach is to search and claim those funds now rather than assuming they will be available later.
For general unclaimed property (bank accounts, insurance proceeds, etc.), most states hold the funds indefinitely under the principle that the state is a custodian, not an owner. This principle is well-established in most jurisdictions, but it is not universal. The Uniform Unclaimed Property Act provides that the state holds property in trust for the owner, but individual states have varying interpretations and some have enacted exceptions.
A denial does not necessarily mean you are ineligible for the funds. In our experience, the most common reasons for denial are procedural -- not substantive. The state is not saying you are not the owner. They are saying the paperwork was not complete or correct.
The most frequent reasons for claim denial include: incomplete claim forms (missing signatures, blank required fields, wrong form version); insufficient proof of identity (expired ID, name mismatch between ID and property records due to marriage or legal name change); missing or inadequate proof of ownership (the state could not verify your connection to the property from the documents submitted); filing with the wrong agency or department (some states have separate agencies for foreclosure surplus, tax overage, and general unclaimed property); expired or improperly notarized documents; and failure to respond to the state's request for additional information within the required timeframe.
When a claim is denied, most states allow you to refile with corrected or additional documentation. There is usually no penalty for a previous denial. We regularly handle cases where the owner made an initial attempt and was denied. We review the denial reason, identify exactly what went wrong, gather the correct documentation, and refile a complete claim package.
In some cases, a denial can be appealed through the state's formal appeals process. We can advise you on whether an appeal or a new filing is the better approach for your situation.
Data security is built into every layer of our operation. We handle sensitive personal information including government IDs, Social Security Numbers, and financial documents, so we take this responsibility seriously.
All data transmitted between your browser and our servers is encrypted using TLS 1.3 with 256-bit encryption -- the same standard used by major banks and financial institutions. Sensitive data stored in our databases is encrypted at rest using AES-256 encryption. Access to client data is restricted to authorized team members on a need-to-know basis, and all access is logged.
We use multi-factor authentication for all internal systems. We do not store payment card information -- when recovered funds are disbursed, payments are processed through secure banking channels. Our website does not use advertising trackers, third-party marketing pixels, or cross-site tracking technology.
We comply with all applicable federal and state data protection laws, including the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA), and equivalent laws in all other states that have enacted comprehensive privacy legislation. Our full Privacy Policy details exactly what information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and your rights regarding your data.
Documents you provide for your claim are used exclusively for processing that claim and are not shared with any party other than the state agency reviewing your claim and any licensed professionals (such as notaries or attorneys) directly involved in your case.
Yes. Businesses can have unclaimed property just like individuals. Common sources include uncashed vendor checks, forgotten commercial bank accounts, security deposits from commercial leases, insurance refunds, overpayments to suppliers, unclaimed rebates, dormant investment accounts, and surplus from commercial property foreclosures or tax sales.
Business claims require documentation specific to the entity type. Corporations need to provide articles of incorporation, a certificate of good standing from the state of incorporation, a board resolution authorizing the claim, and identification for the authorized signer. LLCs need articles of organization, an operating agreement (or a member resolution), and managing member identification. Partnerships require the partnership agreement and identification for the authorized partner.
Businesses that have undergone name changes, mergers, acquisitions, or dissolution may still be entitled to claim unclaimed property. If a business was acquired, the acquiring entity generally has the right to claim property belonging to the acquired entity. If a business was dissolved, the former owners or their estates may have claim rights depending on the state.
We handle business claims across all entity types and can navigate the added complexity of entity verification, successor rights, and corporate documentation requirements.
Recovery amounts vary widely depending on the type of property and the source of the funds. We have processed claims as small as a few hundred dollars and as large as six figures from a single property.
Foreclosure surplus claims tend to be the highest-value recoveries. The average foreclosure surplus claim falls between $5,000 and $50,000, with a meaningful number exceeding $100,000. The amount depends on the property's sale price at auction relative to the total debt. Properties in markets with strong appreciation or competitive bidding at auction tend to produce larger surpluses.
Tax sale overage claims are typically smaller than foreclosure surplus claims because the underlying debt (delinquent property taxes) is usually less than a mortgage balance. Average tax sale overage claims fall between $2,000 and $15,000, though high-value properties can produce much larger overages.
General unclaimed property claims -- bank accounts, insurance proceeds, uncashed checks -- have the widest range. Many individual items are under $1,000, but it is common for a single person to have multiple items across several states that add up to a substantial total. Forgotten life insurance proceeds regularly exceed $10,000.
Our database contains over 2 million records. When you search your name, you may find a single high-value claim or multiple smaller ones. Either way, these are funds that belong to you and would otherwise remain uncollected.
Yes. Every client receives a unique 6-digit claim code when their Recovery Agreement is signed. You can check your claim status at any time by entering this code on the Check Claim Status page on our website or by calling us at (888) 545-8007.
Your claim will move through several stages: Received (we have your signed agreement and are preparing your claim package); Documentation (we are gathering and organizing the required documents); Filed (the claim has been submitted to the state agency); In Review (the state is reviewing your claim); Approved (the state has approved your claim and funds are being processed for disbursement); and Completed (funds have been disbursed). We also send email updates at each major stage of the process so you always know where things stand without needing to check manually.
For most types of unclaimed property, there is no strict deadline. The majority of states hold unclaimed property indefinitely under the legal principle that the state is acting as a custodian, not an owner. This means that even if your property has been held for 10, 20, or 30 years, you may still have a valid claim.
However, there are important exceptions and reasons not to delay. Some states have begun enacting statutes that allow the transfer of long-held unclaimed property into the state's general fund after a specified period. Once funds are transferred to the general fund, recovering them becomes extremely difficult or impossible, depending on the state. Additionally, some states impose shorter claim windows specifically for foreclosure surplus or tax sale overages, separate from their general unclaimed property statutes.
Another practical concern is that documentation becomes harder to obtain over time. Proof of ownership, old mortgage records, property deeds, and other documents may become more difficult to locate as years pass. Witnesses who could provide affidavits may become unavailable. Administrative records at state agencies may be archived or difficult to retrieve.
The bottom line: while most claims do not have a hard deadline, the combination of potential legislative changes and increasing documentation difficulty means that filing sooner is always better than waiting.
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MyStateFunds.com operates in compliance with state unclaimed property laws. Every American has the right to recover funds held by their state treasury.
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