Can I claim my deceased mother's unclaimed money?

Asked by: Kennith Cummerata  |  Last update: January 25, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (63 votes)

The short answer is that yes, you can claim money from deceased relatives. If you believe that you're entitled to money left behind by a deceased relative, then you can make a legal claim to it under the inheritance laws of your state. The types of financial assets you may be able to claim include: Bank accounts.

How do I claim my deceased parents money?

Approach the Master with a written request to access the Deceased's funds with quotes or invoices of the funeral costs. If the Master is satisfied with this request, they will issue a formal letter to the bank for them to permit you to release the specified amount.

Can you claim a dead persons money?

If you are the designated beneficiary on a deceased person's bank account, you typically can go to the bank immediately following their death to claim the asset. In general, there is no waiting period for beneficiaries to access the money; however, keep in mind that laws can vary by state and by bank.

How to find deceased unclaimed money?

The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) is one such service, and NAUPA-endorsed MissingMoney.com is another unclaimed life insurance database worth checking out. State insurance department — You can also contact your state insurance department (insurance is regulated at the state level).

How to find out if a deceased person owes money?

The spouse or executor of the estate may request the deceased person's credit report by mailing a request to each of the credit reporting companies. Send a letter along with the following information about the deceased: Legal name. Social Security Number.

Who Can Claim Unclaimed Property Of A Deceased Person? - CountyOffice.org

39 related questions found

Am I responsible for my mother's debt when she died?

You are not responsible for someone else's debt.

This is often called their estate.

How do I claim money from a deceased person?

How to Claim Unclaimed Money From Deceased Relatives. If you're one of the lucky individuals who finds unclaimed money, and believe you're the rightful heir to it, it's time to file your claim. You can do so by filing a claim through the controller office of the state that holds the asset or property.

How do I find hidden assets of a deceased person?

7 Steps to Finding a Deceased Person's Assets
  1. #1 Search Your Loved One's House. ...
  2. #2 Look Through Their Computer. ...
  3. #3 Ask the Decedent's Friends and Family Members. ...
  4. #4 Contact Financial Institutions. ...
  5. #5 Talk to Your Loved One's Employer. ...
  6. #6 Reach Out to the Local Probate Court. ...
  7. #7 Contact Their Estate Planning Attorney.

How to recover money from a deceased person?

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED: As a matter of general rule following documents are required in all cases of death claim: i. Death Certificate. ii. Application for Deceased claim(Annexure I) /Estate claim form (Annexure II) duly filled in by the legal heirs/claimants.

Can I withdraw money from a deceased person's bank account?

Legally, only the owner has legal access to the funds, even after death. A court must grant someone else the power to withdraw money and close the account.

What not to do when someone dies?

What Not to Do When Someone Dies: 10 Common Mistakes
  1. Not Obtaining Multiple Copies of the Death Certificate.
  2. 2- Delaying Notification of Death.
  3. 3- Not Knowing About a Preplan for Funeral Expenses.
  4. 4- Not Understanding the Crucial Role a Funeral Director Plays.
  5. 5- Letting Others Pressure You Into Bad Decisions.

Is it illegal to keep utilities in a deceased person's name?

Yes, that is fraud. Someone should file a probate case on the deceased person.

Can I cash my deceased mother's check?

The Check Belongs to the Estate Now

As such, you'll need legal authority to cash or deposit the check.

How long does an heir have to claim their inheritance?

An heir can claim their inheritance anywhere from six months to three years after a decedent passes away, depending on where they live. Every state and county jurisdiction sets different rules about an heir's ability to claim their inheritance.

When a parent dies what happens to their money?

Most of the time, the money goes to the person's surviving spouse and children. To start the process, you'll need to inform the bank that the person has passed away. The bank will probably require a copy of the death certificate, the person's Social Security number and possibly other documents.

How do you find out if your deceased parent left you money?

The best place to begin your search is www.Unclaimed.org, the website of the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA). This free website contains information about unclaimed property held by each state. You can search every state where your loved one lived or worked to see if anything shows up.

What happens when someone dies and has no assets?

When an estate doesn't have any assets—or when the estate's assets are positioned to transfer to beneficiaries outside of probate—then probate may not be necessary. In this case, the only notable benefit to completing probate would be to formally close the decedent's estate.

Can an executor access the deceased bank account records?

Only joint owners, beneficiaries or executors can access a deceased person's bank account. Aug. 30, 2024, at 11:52 a.m. The account becomes part of the deceased owner's estate when there's no joint bank account holder or beneficiary.

Can I claim my deceased parents unclaimed money?

Can You Claim Unclaimed Money From Deceased Relatives? The short answer is that yes, you can claim money from deceased relatives. If you believe that you're entitled to money left behind by a deceased relative, then you can make a legal claim to it under the inheritance laws of your state.

How do I claim unclaimed amount?

How To Claim Unclaimed Deposits?
  1. Visit the bank where the account or deposit exists.
  2. Fill up the “claim form” with all relevant details about yourself and the account.
  3. Submit the form along with relevant documents such as KYC documents, deposit receipts and photographs.

Are unclaimed funds considered income?

Unclaimed funds are assets whose rightful owner cannot be located. Typically, unclaimed funds and other property are handed over to the state in which the assets are located. This happens after a dormancy period has passed. When unclaimed funds have risen in value, taxes may be assessed and be owed by the claimant.

How to get money owed to a deceased person after death?

Once we have a personal representative appointed, we now have an individual who has the authority to collect a debt that is owed to the decedent. The personal representative who is once appointed is able to collect the debt the same as the decedent was able to collect the debt before they passed away.

What happens to a bank account when someone dies without a beneficiary?

If someone dies without a will, the bank account will typically go through probate, where state laws of intestacy will determine how the funds are distributed.

Who gets the refund of a deceased person?

This one-page form notifies the IRS that a taxpayer has died and directs it to send the refund to the beneficiary. The form may be filed by the surviving spouse, another beneficiary, or a court-appointed representative of the estate.