| Considering that the Department of Finance's Division | | | | even after they realize that they could be owed |
| of Revenue took in over $364.9 in Delaware | | | | money from multiple states, they tend to do one quick |
| unclaimed money in 2006 alone, it's a safe assumption | | | | search and think whatever the search results say is |
| that the state has many more hundreds of millions, if | | | | the end of the story. Sadly, not all unclaimed money |
| not over a billion dollars in lost money, that belongs the | | | | sites are the same, and there is no one search that |
| regular citizens who just need to step forward and | | | | checks the records of all states. Even when you |
| claim it. There are tens of billions in forgotten money | | | | break it down to the state level, the records are often |
| nationwide, but Delaware houses a disproportionately | | | | very unreliable because they aren't updated in real |
| large share because it is home to so many corporate | | | | time. |
| headquarters. | | | | Each state has its own laws dictating when forgotten |
| Aside from issues of not knowing where and how | | | | money must be turned over to the department that |
| often to search, most Americans don't realize that | | | | handles these types of assets in that state. And each |
| they could be owed DE unclaimed property even if | | | | type of asset (dormant bank accounts, lost or |
| they've never lived in or been to the The Small | | | | forgotten uncashed checks, stock or bonds, dividends |
| Wonder. Over the years Delaware has become the | | | | & bond interest, insurance proceeds, utility refunds, |
| go to state for planting a company's headquarters. | | | | safe deposit box contents, etc.) has its own unique |
| When companies have locations and branches in other | | | | dormancy period, which is the time that must pass |
| states, unclaimed paychecks won't be handed over to | | | | before the funds are considered "unclaimed". For this |
| the treasury departments of those states, they will be | | | | reason, different money is turned over to each state |
| reverted to Delaware. For this reason, a citizen looking | | | | all the time, and the states update their records |
| to track down missing money would find no record of | | | | whenever they find the manpower and time to do so. |
| their fund in their home state, and would likely never | | | | For these reasons, anyone serious about tracking |
| check Delaware's records. | | | | down all possible money claims must search regularly, |
| In addition to non-Delaware residents potentially finding | | | | and learn where to search and where not to search. |
| unclaimed money in Delaware, Delaware residents | | | | These issues, among others, can seem overwhelming |
| may be owed cash from other states. For starters, | | | | to a frustrated beginner in unclaimed asset searching, |
| there are plenty of companies that are incorporated in | | | | but searchers can now use guides created by experts |
| other states that have employees in DE, but there are | | | | in the field to jump the hurdles that usually plague |
| other reasons, such as insurance overpayments, that | | | | rookies. For those who think they can handle their |
| might leave a Delaware resident's abandoned funds | | | | money better than their state treasury department, |
| stuck in another state. | | | | you owe it to yourselves to educate yourselves on |
| Once people become aware of unclaimed money, and | | | | the best ways to search and get started ASAP. |