Find a deceased relative's unclaimed money
When someone passes away, money owed to them doesn't vanish — it becomes part of their estate. Search official databases for a loved one's forgotten accounts, lost life insurance and unclaimed pensions, free, and get clear guidance on how heirs and executors claim it.
Search in your relative's name
Enter the deceased person's name. California & Texas return live results; we guide you to every other official source.
Three places to check for a loved one
State unclaimed property
Forgotten bank & brokerage accounts, security deposits, refunds and uncashed checks turned over to the state. We search California & Texas live and link you to every state's official portal.
Lost life insurance & annuities
Policies relatives never knew existed. The free NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator asks participating insurers to check their records and contact beneficiaries directly.
Unclaimed pensions
When a former employer's pension plan ended, benefits can sit unclaimed with the PBGC. Worth checking for anyone who worked at a company whose plan was terminated.
How heirs & executors claim
-
1
Search the deceased's name
Use the form above with their name and the states they lived in. Try maiden and former names too — property is filed under the name on the original account.
-
2
Review verified matches & guided sources
You'll see any live database matches plus an honest list of official sources to check, each with tailored guidance for estate claims.
-
3
Gather estate documents
Most claims require a certified death certificate and proof you're the heir or representative (e.g. letters testamentary). Each official site lists exactly what it needs.
-
4
File directly with the official program
Submit the claim on the state or federal site. It's free to claim directly — and our optional Claim Concierge can help you prepare the paperwork.
Deceased-relative unclaimed money — questions
Can I search for unclaimed money belonging to a deceased relative? +
Yes. Unclaimed property doesn't disappear when someone passes away — it becomes part of their estate, and the legal heirs or the estate's representative can claim it. Search the person's name (and any former or maiden names) across official state unclaimed-property databases, and separately check for lost life insurance and unclaimed pensions.
What kinds of unclaimed money do estates commonly have? +
The most common are forgotten bank and brokerage accounts, security deposits and uncashed checks held by state unclaimed-property offices; lost life insurance policies and annuities (searchable through the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator); and unclaimed private pensions held by the PBGC when a former employer's plan ended.
Who is allowed to claim a deceased person's unclaimed property? +
Generally the estate's executor or court-appointed administrator, or the legal heirs/beneficiaries. You will usually need a certified copy of the death certificate plus proof of your relationship or legal authority (such as letters testamentary). Each state and holding institution publishes its exact requirements on its official claim page.
How do I find a deceased relative's lost life insurance policy? +
Use the free NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator. You submit the deceased person's details (legal name, date of birth, date of death, and Social Security number from the death certificate). Participating insurers then check their records and contact you directly if you are a listed beneficiary. It is a request rather than an instant search and can take 90 or more business days.
Does FoundWealth take a percentage of what I recover? +
No. Unclaimed property is always free to search and claim directly at your state's official site. FoundWealth is an independent search and guidance tool — we never take a percentage of your money and never file or recover funds on your behalf.
Is there a deadline to claim a deceased relative's unclaimed money? +
Most U.S. states hold unclaimed property indefinitely, so there is usually no hard deadline to claim it. Even so, it is worth claiming promptly, and you should always file directly through the official state or federal program.
Unclaimed property is always free to search and claim directly at your state's official site (see unclaimed.org). FoundWealth is an independent search, report and monitoring tool — not a government agency, and we never take a percentage of your money. You are paying only for our tools and assistance.
Honor their memory — and recover what's owed.
Search a loved one's name across official databases in about 90 seconds. Free, with guidance every step of the way.
Start the free estate search →