Unless otherwise provided in this title, all money or other property deposited in the State Treasury under the provisions of this title may be claimed by the person entitled thereto at any time prior to the date on which such money or other property has become permanently escheated, as provided by this title.
Payment of ClaimsClaims
Section § 1350
This statute states that any money or property deposited with the state can be claimed by the rightful owner before it permanently becomes the state's property if not claimed in time. This is called 'escheating,' and it means the owner must claim their property before it legally belongs to the state forever.
State Treasury property deposited money claim
Section § 1351
If money or property is deposited in the State Treasury and not claimed by someone entitled to it within five years, it becomes the state's property. The Attorney General or Controller will then start legal action to officially declare the state's ownership of the unclaimed money or property.
Unless otherwise provided in this title, all money or other property deposited in the State Treasury under the provisions of this title, if not claimed by the person entitled thereto within five years from the date of such deposit, shall become the property of the State by escheat; and upon request by the Controller, the Attorney General shall commence a proceeding under the provisions of Section 1410, or, in lieu of such proceeding, the Controller may take action as provided by Article 2 of Chapter 5, to have it adjudged, determined or established that the title to such money or other property has vested in the State.
State Treasury unclaimed property five-year claim period
Section § 1352
If you believe you are entitled to unclaimed money or property valued at less than $60,000 that has been deposited with the state, you can submit a claim to the State Controller. The form you fill out should include specific details as required by the Controller to prove your claim. If the property was assigned to you by name, you or your legal guardian can claim it, no matter the amount. However, this does not apply to the heirs or estate of a distributee or property given to the state due to unknown heirs. If the State Controller denies your claim, you can challenge this decision by suing the Controller in a court where the Attorney General has an office.
(a)CA Civil Procedure Code § 1352(a) Whenever unclaimed money or other property is deposited in the State Treasury under this title, and, except as otherwise provided by law, whenever there is in the possession of the state or its officers any money or other property which is held for third persons or the title to which has vested in the state subject to the rights of third persons, and the period during which it may be claimed by a person entitled thereto has not terminated, the period and person being prescribed by law, if the value of the money or other property to which the claimant is entitled is less than sixty thousand dollars
($60,000), any such person may present his or her claim for it to the Controller.
The claim shall be made in the form prescribed by the Controller, which shall set forth the information required by Section 1355 or any other information that the Controller may deem necessary to establish right or title to the money or other property in the claimant.
(b)CA Civil Procedure Code § 1352(b) Property assigned or distributed to a name distributee may be claimed by the distributee himself or herself or his or her legal guardian or conservator, as provided in subdivision (a) regardless of the amount. This subdivision does not apply to the heirs or estate of a distributee, or to property distributed to the state for lack of known heirs.
(c)CA Civil Procedure Code § 1352(c) Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Controller may commence an action, naming the Controller as a defendant, to establish his or her
claim in the superior court in any county or city and county in which the Attorney General has an office pursuant to Section 1541.
unclaimed property State Controller claim process
Section § 1353
This law explains the process for claiming money or property held by the State of California, especially when it is meant for someone else or when the State has a temporary title to it. The Sacramento County Superior Court has the exclusive authority to decide on ownership and claims to such property. If you believe you have a right to this money or property, you can file a verified petition showing your claim. The petition must include certain facts, especially if the property didn't come from an estate. After a court trial, if they agree with your claim, they'll give you a certificate to get your money or property. You'd then present this certificate to the necessary state official to receive what you're owed.
Except as otherwise provided in Sections 401 or 1352, whenever money or other property is deposited in the State Treasury under the provisions of this title, and, except as otherwise provided by law, when there is in the possession of the State or its officers any money or other property which is to be held for third persons or the title to which has vested in the State subject to the rights of third persons, the Superior Court of the County of Sacramento shall have full and exclusive jurisdiction to determine the title to such money or other property and all claims thereto.
If the period in which such money or other property may
be claimed by a person entitled thereto has not terminated, such period and person being prescribed by law, any such person may file a petition in the Superior Court of the County of Sacramento, or as provided in Section 401, showing his claim or right to the money or other property or the proceeds thereof, or any portion thereof.
The petition shall be verified, and, among other things, must, insofar as they are applicable or material to the matters at issue, state the facts required to be stated in a petition filed under Section 1355. If the money or other property at issue did not come into the possession of the State or its officers in connection with estates of deceased persons, the petition shall, in addition to the foregoing facts, state any material facts necessary to establish a prima facie right or title in the petitioner. Upon the filing of the petition, the same proceedings shall be had as are required in Section 1355.
If, upon trial of the issues, the court is satisfied of the claimant’s right or title to the money or other property claimed, it shall grant him a certificate to that effect under its seal. Upon presentation of such certificate, the Controller shall draw his warrant on the Treasurer for the amount of money covered thereby; and if the certificate covers any property other than money, a certified copy of the certificate filed with the officer of the State having possession of the property shall serve as sufficient authority to the officer for the delivery of such property to the claimant.
Superior Court of Sacramento State Treasury deposits third person claims
Section § 1354
If someone makes a claim to get money or property from the Unclaimed Property Fund held by the State, they need to show that there are heirs or creditors entitled to it. If only creditors exist, they can only recover enough to pay off debts and cover estate costs like court fees and attorney's fees. This rule applies to both current and future claims.
Whenever any claim is made or petition filed by the representative of an estate or other person, under the provisions of this chapter, or under any other provision of law, to recover money or other property deposited in the State Treasury or held by the State or any officer thereof to the credit, or in the name, of any account in the Unclaimed Property Fund, no recovery will be allowed unless it affirmatively appears that there are heirs or legatees who will receive such money or other property or creditors of the deceased owner of the claim whose claims are valid and are not barred, and whose claims were in existence prior to the death of such deceased owner of the claim.
Where only creditors exist, and there are no heirs or legatees, said claims shall be allowed only to the extent necessary to pay such claims and the reasonable costs of administration of the estate, including court costs, administrator’s fees and attorney’s fees. This section shall apply to all claims which are pending at the time that this section goes into effect as well as to claims arising hereafter.
Unclaimed Property Fund estate representative heirs
Section § 1355
This law explains how someone who wasn't originally part of a legal proceeding can claim money or property from the state if they believe it rightfully belongs to them. This must be done within five years. To make a claim, a person must file a petition with the court in Sacramento. The petition must include detailed information about the deceased person's family and marital history. Notice of the claim must be given to the Attorney General and Controller 20 days before the hearing. If real estate is involved, a notice must be recorded indicating the pending claim. If someone proves their right to the property, the court will order it returned to them. People who don't file in time lose their right to claim, except for minors and those who are mentally incapacitated, who have a bit more time.
Within five years after date of entry of judgment in any proceeding had under the provisions of Chapter 5, or within five years after completion of notice by publication in an escheat action taken under the provisions of Section 1415, a person not a party or privy to such proceeding or action, if not otherwise barred, may file a petition in the Superior Court of the County of Sacramento, or as provided in Section 401, showing his claim or right to the money or other property, or the proceeds thereof.
Said petition shall be verified; and, in a proceeding for the recovery by the petitioner as heir, devisee, or legatee, or the
successor in interest of an heir, devisee or legatee, of money or other property received by the State from the estate of a decedent under the provisions of Article 1 of Chapter 6, such petition, among other things must state:
The full name, and the place and date of birth of the decedent whose estate, or any part thereof, is claimed.
The full name of such decedent’s father and the maiden name of his mother, the places and dates of their respective births, the place and date of their marriage, the full names of all children the issue of such marriage, with the date of birth of each, and the place and date of death of all children of such marriage who have died unmarried and without issue.
Whether or not such decedent was ever married, and if so, where, when and to whom.
How, when and where such marriage, if any, was dissolved.
Whether or not said decedent was ever remarried, and, if so, where, when and to whom.
The full names, and the dates and places of birth of all lineal descendants, if any, of said decedent; the dates and places of death of any thereof who died prior to the filing of such petition; and the places of residence of all who are then surviving, with the degree of relationship of each of such survivors to said decedent.
Whether any of the brothers or sisters of such decedent every married, and, if so, where, when and whom.
The full names, and the places and dates of birth of all children who are the issue of the marriage of any such brother or sister of the decedent, and the date and place of death of all deceased nephews and nieces of said decedent.
Whether or not said decedent, if of foreign birth, ever
became a naturalized citizen of the United States, and, if so, when, where, and by what court citizenship was conferred.
The post-office names of the cities, towns or other places, each in its appropriate connection, wherein are preserved the records of the births, marriages and deaths hereinbefore enumerated, and, if known, the title of the public official or other person having custody of such records.
The nationality of each of the heirs of the decedent.
The street address of each of the heirs of the decedent.
If, for any reason, the petitioner is unable to set forth any of the matters or things hereinbefore required, he shall clearly state such reason in his petition.
At least 20 days before the hearing of the petition, a copy of the petition and notice of hearing must be served on the
Attorney General and on the Controller, and the Attorney General may answer the same at his discretion.
If such claim includes a claim to real property or any interest therein, the petitioner shall record in the office of the county recorder of the county in which the real property is situated, a notice of the pendency of the petition containing the object of the action and a description of the property in the county affected thereby. From the time of filing such notice for record only, shall a purchaser or encumbrancer of the property be deemed to have constructive notice of the pendency of the action, and only of its pendency against parties designated by their real names.
The court must thereupon try the issue as issues are tried in civil actions; and if it is determined that such person is entitled to the money or other property or the proceeds thereof, it must order the property, if it has not been sold, to be
delivered to him, or if it has been sold and the proceeds thereof paid into the State Treasury, it must order the Controller to draw his warrant on the Treasurer for the payment of the same, but without interest or cost to the State. A copy of such order, under the seal of the court, shall be a sufficient voucher for drawing such warrant.
All persons who fail to appear and file their petitions within the time limited are forever barred; saving, however, to infants and persons of unsound mind, the right to appear and file their petitions at any time within the time limited, or within one year after their respective disabilities cease.
escheat action Superior Court of Sacramento claim petition
