Can I claim my deceased grandmother's unclaimed money?

Asked by: Prof. Raegan Schneider Sr.  |  Last update: July 18, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (30 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.

Can you claim unclaimed money of a deceased relative?

You may be able to file for unclaimed money owed to you, or that was owed to a deceased relative if you are their legal heir.

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.

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.

How to find unclaimed inheritance?

www.unclaimed.org is the website of the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators. This is a legitimate site created by state officials to help people search for funds that may belong to you or your relatives. Searches are free.

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

44 related questions found

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.

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.

Can debt collectors go after the family of deceased?

While creditors are given the first opportunity to stake their claims to a decedent's assets, they cannot hold heirs financially responsible for the deceased person's debts. Creditor claims are settled with a decedent's estate—not the decedent's heirs.

What happens to unclaimed deceased?

Some counties elect to bury unclaimed bodies. Typically, the body is buried in an unmarked grave that is county-owned. If a family member later comes forward the body may be exhumed upon request. Other states allow for unclaimed bodies to be donated for medical science.

Do I have to pay my deceased mother's credit card debt?

When a loved one passes away, you'll have a lot to take care of, including their finances. It's important to remember that credit card debt does not automatically go away when someone dies. It must be paid by the estate or the co-signers on the account.

How much does an estate have to be worth to go to probate?

However, in California, estates valued at more than $166,250 must enter into the probate process. While estates valued at less than that could still be subject to probate, they are able to use a more simplified transfer process of the estate.

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

An executor/administrator of an estate can only withdraw money from a deceased person's bank account if the account does not have a designated beneficiary or joint owner and is not being disposed of by the deceased person's trust.

Who is responsible for money owed when someone dies?

In some states, you are always responsible for your spouse's debt after death, but only if the debt was accumulated while you were married. These are called “community property states”; they include Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin (as of 2022).

How do I claim money after death?

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.

What happens to unclaimed death benefits?

In many cases, however, the proceeds of the life insurance policy plus any interest earned get sent over to the policyholder's state after a certain number of years. Named beneficiaries can then collect their unclaimed payout via the state treasury.

Why shouldn't you always tell your bank when someone dies?

If you contact the bank before consulting an attorney, you risk account freezes, which could severely delay auto-payments and direct deposits and most importantly mortgage payments. You should call Social Security right away to tell them about the death of your loved one.

Do I have to pay my deceased mother's medical bills?

After a loved one dies, unpaid medical bills are probably the last thing you want to think about. But if a bill collector contacts you about medical bills after the death of a loved one, you may wonder if you have to pay. Generally, any debts a deceased person leaves behind get paid out of the individual's estate.

How long after someone dies can creditors collect?

In California, creditors only have one year to collect on a debt. It doesn't matter if the surviving spouse didn't take out a line of credit or lease a car, if their name is on it, it's a community asset and if there's still debt on this asset, it's known as a community debt.

Can I claim my grandmother's unclaimed money?

If you believe you are entitled to an unclaimed financial asset of a deceased relative, you can file a claim with the state government or business that is holding it.

How long do you have to claim assets after death?

In California, there's no strict deadline for filing probate after death, but it's advisable to begin the process as soon as possible. Delays in filing can lead to complications, such as the estate's assets becoming unmanageable or creditors taking legal action to collect debts.

Can you use a deceased person's bank account to pay their bills?

A deceased person's bank account is inaccessible unless you're a joint owner, a beneficiary of the account or the estate executor.

How to find lost bank accounts of deceased?

You can contact the banks where the deceased person might have had an account. You may need to provide proof of death, such as a death certificate, and legal documentation stating that you have the authority to access their account.

How do I find my unclaimed money for free?

Most states participate in MissingMoney.com—a free website, managed by NAUPA, from which you can search participating state's databases for unclaimed property.

What happens to unclaimed settlement money?

These unclaimed lawsuit settlements are typically managed through mechanisms like cy pres awards, escheatment to the state, or redistribution among existing claimants.