Claiming inherited unclaimed property

Can heirs claim unclaimed property?

Yes. California allows legal heirs to claim unclaimed property that belonged to a deceased person. There is no time limit — the property is held by the State Controller's Office indefinitely.

The process is more involved than a standard claim because you need to prove both ownership (that the property belonged to the deceased) and heirship (that you are a legal heir).

What documents are typically needed?

• Death certificate of the property owner
• Your government-issued photo ID
• Proof of your relationship to the deceased (birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.)
• Letters of administration or probate court documents (if applicable)
• Proof of Social Security Number for the deceased
• Affidavit of heirship (for claims without probate)

The exact requirements vary depending on the claim value and whether the estate went through probate. The SCO may request additional documentation during their review.

How the process works

Step 1: Search for the deceased person's name on myMoneyCA. Try variations including maiden names and previous addresses.

Step 2: If matches are found, create a free account to see full details and match scores.

Step 3: Sign the fee agreement. We prepare all required heir claim documentation and file all required documents with the SCO on your behalf.

Step 4: The SCO reviews heir claims carefully. This typically takes longer than standard claims — up to 180 days.

Step 5: Once approved, payment is issued. Our 10% fee applies only on successful recovery.

Tips for heir claims

• Search under the deceased person's full legal name, maiden name, and any other names they went by
• Try addresses where they lived throughout their life — property may be filed under an address from decades ago
• Gather documents early — obtaining death certificates and probate documents can take time
• Multiple heirs may need to sign — coordinate with siblings or other family members