How to find and claim a deceased person's unclaimed money in Texas
Search the person's name at ClaimItTexas.gov, the Texas Comptroller's official unclaimed property site. If something turns up, the executor or the legal heirs can file a claim, and the papers needed depend on whether there was a will, whether it went through probate, and how much the claim is worth. The state charges nothing to search or claim, and there is no deadline.
What is unclaimed property?
Money or assets that a business or institution could not return to the owner and reported to the state. Examples include payroll checks, bank accounts, utility deposits and refunds, insurance proceeds, and safe deposit box contents. It does not include real estate or vehicles. The state holds it until the owner or their heirs claim it.
How do you search for a deceased relative's unclaimed money?
Go to ClaimItTexas.gov and search their name, including nicknames, maiden names and the names of businesses they owned. Check results against every address they lived at. The site does not display properties under $25; for those, or if you can't find something, use the site's Search Request Form. For other states, Texas points you to unclaimed.org, which links to each state's official program. Searching is free.
Who can claim a deceased person's unclaimed property?
- There was a will that went through probate: usually the executor or administrator, or the beneficiaries of the probated will (or of a will filed as a muniment of title).
- There was no will, or the will was not probated: the legal heirs. Texas law decides who they are; see what happens if someone dies without a will in Texas*.
Your claim confirmation from the Comptroller lists exactly which documents your claim needs.
What papers do heirs need?
At minimum, the signed claim form and your photo ID. Depending on the claim, the Comptroller may also ask for:
- A death certificate (how to get one in Texas*).
- If the estate was probated: the probated will, Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, or a muniment of title. Copies come from the county clerk.
- If there was no probate, the documents depend on the amount (34 Tex. Admin. Code §13.9):
- $10,000 or less: the Comptroller's Affidavit of Heirship (Form 53-111-A). It is signed before a notary by a witness who knows the family history. The witness can't be the person claiming and can't benefit from the property. The current form says to file it with the county clerk in the county where the person lived, then upload the file-stamped copy.
- More than $10,000 up to $75,000: a small estate affidavit that follows Texas Estates Code Chapter 205.
- More than $75,000: a court's determination of heirship.
A Texas probate attorney can help you prepare the larger-claim documents.
How do you file the claim and get paid?
Start the claim by selecting the result on ClaimItTexas.gov; you'll get a Claim ID to check its status. Upload your documents through the site, or mail them to: Comptroller of Public Accounts, Unclaimed Property Claims Section, P.O. Box 12046, Austin, TX 78711-2046. Send photocopies unless originals are requested, and keep a copy of everything. Approved claims are paid by paper check mailed through USPS. Questions: Texas Unclaimed Property, 800-321-2274, or unclaimed.property@cpa.texas.gov.
What are the most common mistakes?
- Signing a finder's contract before checking yourself. Searching and claiming with the state is free. In Texas, heir finders must be registered, and their fee can't be more than 10 percent of what they recover.
- Sending a claim without the right papers. Read your claim confirmation for the exact list, and answer document requests within 30 days to keep the claim moving.
- Forgetting other states, maiden names, or businesses the person owned.
- Having the claimant sign the Affidavit of Heirship. It must be signed by an independent witness.
How do you keep your own family from having to search?
Unclaimed property exists because nobody knew about the account. A list of banks, employers, policies and where the papers are lets your family close accounts instead of discovering them years later. See what happens to my accounts if I die and how to organize important documents.
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Frequently asked questions
Is it free to search and claim unclaimed property in Texas?
Yes. The Texas Comptroller does not charge to search or to claim.
Is there a deadline to claim a deceased relative's unclaimed money in Texas?
No. Texas has no statute of limitations for unclaimed property, and the state holds the funds until they are returned to the rightful owner or heirs.
Can I claim if the estate never went through probate?
Yes. For claims of $10,000 or less, heirs can usually use the Comptroller's Affidavit of Heirship; larger claims need a small estate affidavit or a court's determination of heirship.
How are unclaimed property claims paid in Texas?
By paper check mailed through USPS. Direct deposit and wire transfers are not available.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is general information. For who is an heir or whether to open probate, talk to a licensed Texas attorney.
Sources
- claimittexas.gov
- claimittexas.gov/app/faq-ucp
- comptroller.texas.gov/forms/53-111-a.pdf
- comptroller.texas.gov/about/contact
- law.cornell.edu/regulations/texas/34-Tex-Admin-Code-SS-13-9
- unclaimed.org
General information, not legal or financial advice. Rules change; check the official sources above or talk to a licensed professional about your situation.
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