According to the state controller's office, more than 8.2 million individuals and organizations are owed over $5.1 billion in unclaimed property in California. Finding lost money and pursuing a legal claim to any money, stocks, inheritance, or abandoned property involves knowing the specific procedures for reclaiming items. In this article, learn how to find assets and escheat (the transfer of property with unknown ownership) and make a legal claim.
Unclaimed Property in California
All lost money, unclaimed inheritance, stocks, utility deposits, final paychecks, and other forms of unclaimed property in California is managed by the State Controller's Office in the Unclaimed Property Division. Searchers and heirs for unclaimed money start there to find assets and make a legal claim.
