Find Madera County Unclaimed Property

Madera County unclaimed money comes from both state and county sources. The California State Controller holds billions in lost property including bank accounts, paychecks, and insurance proceeds. Madera County also runs its own program for excess proceeds from tax sales. When the county sells property to collect unpaid taxes, any money left over after paying the debt goes to the former owner. You can search the state database online for free. For county excess proceeds, contact the Madera County Treasurer-Tax Collector. Both systems operate independently, so you need to check both if you want to find all unclaimed money that may belong to you in Madera County.

California State Controller Database

Most unclaimed property for Madera County residents is held by the California State Controller. The state manages over $11 billion in lost funds. Banks, employers, insurance companies, and other businesses report property to the state after periods of inactivity. This includes checking and savings accounts that have had no activity for three years. It also covers uncashed paychecks, insurance payouts, stock dividends, and utility deposits.

Search the database at the controller's property search portal. Enter your name or business name to see if the state holds property for you. The search is free and takes just a few minutes. You can also search for deceased relatives if you are an heir. The database shows the property type, approximate amount, and the business that reported it.

When you find property in your name, you can file a claim online in many cases. Visit the state controller's claim page for instructions. Simple claims take 30 to 60 days. Complex claims involving heirs or securities can take up to 180 days. The state processes claims for free. You do not need to hire a company. Asset locators may contact you and offer to help for a fee of up to 10 percent of the property value. You can avoid this fee by filing directly with the state.

California law sets different dormancy periods for different types of property. Bank accounts become unclaimed after three years. Wages must be reported after one year. Money orders take seven years, and traveler's checks take fifteen years. These rules are in Code of Civil Procedure section 1513. Once property reaches the state, there is no time limit for filing a claim. Madera County residents can claim property turned in decades ago if they can prove ownership.

Madera County Excess Proceeds

Madera County runs an excess proceeds program for tax-defaulted property sales. When a property owner does not pay taxes for several years, the county can sell the property at auction. The sale pays off the tax debt, penalties, interest, and costs. If the winning bid is higher than what was owed, the extra money is held in trust. This is called excess proceeds.

The Madera County Treasurer-Tax Collector manages the excess proceeds program. The county publishes a list of properties sold and the amount of excess proceeds available. Former owners have the first right to claim these funds. Lien holders, such as mortgage companies or contractors who had a legal claim on the property, can also file.

Excess proceeds can be substantial in areas where property values are high. Even if you lost a property in a tax sale years ago, you may still be able to claim excess proceeds. The county holds these funds separately from the state controller's unclaimed property program. Contact the treasurer at (559) 675-7713 to ask about current excess proceeds from tax sales.

To claim excess proceeds, you need to prove your interest in the property. Former owners need to provide proof they owned the property before the tax sale. This can include old deeds or tax bills. Lien holders need to show they had a recorded lien on the property. The county treasurer will review your claim and send payment if approved. Each county sets its own deadlines for excess proceeds claims, so do not delay if you think you may have funds waiting.

Note: Contact Madera County Treasurer-Tax Collector at (559) 675-7713 for questions about excess proceeds.

How to File a Claim

Start with the California State Controller's unclaimed property website. This is where most Madera County unclaimed funds are held. When you find property in your name, click on it to start a claim. The site will tell you if you can file online or need to mail a paper form. Many claims can be completed electronically, which is faster.

You need to prove you are the rightful owner. For claims under $1,000, you may only need to provide your name, address, and Social Security number. Claims of $1,000 or more require notarization. If you are claiming on behalf of a deceased person, you need a death certificate and proof you are the legal heir. Business claims require articles of incorporation or other corporate documents.

Forms you may need include:

• Claim Affirmation Form (generated from search results)
• Declaration Under Probate Code 13101 (for estates under $166,250)
• Table of Heirship (for claims by heirs)
• Safe Deposit Box Property Release Form (for box contents)

Mail paper claims to Chief, Unclaimed Property Division, P.O. Box 942850, Sacramento, CA 94250-5873. You can also drop off claims in person at 10600 White Rock Road, Suite 141, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670. The controller will review your claim and send a check if approved. Property is removed from the public database while a claim is being processed.

For Madera County excess proceeds, you need to file directly with the county treasurer. The process is different from the state controller. Visit the county website or call (559) 675-7713 to get the correct forms and instructions. Make sure you know which agency holds your money before you file a claim.

Types of Unclaimed Property

Bank accounts are the most common type of unclaimed property. Checking accounts, savings accounts, and certificates of deposit become unclaimed after three years of no activity. Madera County has both local banks and branches of larger institutions. All of them report unclaimed accounts to the state controller when they cannot reach the owner.

Uncashed paychecks add up over time. Employers must turn over wages after one year if they cannot locate the employee. This happens when someone moves without giving a forwarding address or when a final paycheck gets lost. Madera County's economy includes agriculture, government, retail, and services. All of these sectors generate unclaimed paychecks each year.

Insurance proceeds often go unclaimed. Life insurance policies pay out when the insured person dies, but beneficiaries may not know the policy exists. Property and auto insurance refunds can also become unclaimed. Health insurance overpayments are another source. If a Madera County resident passed away and may have had life insurance, the beneficiaries should search the state database.

Other common types of unclaimed property:

• Stock dividends and mutual fund distributions
• Utility deposits from PG&E and other providers
• Escrow accounts from real estate transactions
• Court deposits and legal settlements
• Royalties from oil, gas, or creative works
• Safe deposit box contents
• Matured savings bonds

Tax refunds can also go unclaimed. The California Franchise Tax Board holds old refund checks. Refund checks are good for six months. After that, you must request a replacement. Call (800) 852-5711 to claim an old tax refund. This is separate from the state controller's unclaimed property program.

Madera County excess proceeds come from tax sales. When the county auctions a property to collect back taxes, the sale price may exceed the amount owed. The leftover money goes to the former owner or lien holders. Property values in parts of Madera County have risen over the years, so excess proceeds can be significant even on modest properties.

California Unclaimed Property Laws

The Unclaimed Property Law is found in Code of Civil Procedure sections 1500 through 1582. These laws apply in Madera County and throughout California. The law defines what property must be reported and sets the rules for claiming it.

Holders of unclaimed property must file an annual report with the state controller. Most businesses file by November 1 each year. Life insurance companies have until May 1. Before turning property over to the state, holders must try to notify the owner. Under section 1530, written notice must be sent at least six months before filing the report. This gives owners a chance to claim their property before it goes to the state.

The state controller decides whether to approve or deny claims. According to section 1540, the controller has 180 days to decide on a complete claim. No interest is paid on claims. This means your money does not grow while the state holds it. Inflation can reduce the purchasing power of old funds over time.

Penalties apply to holders who do not comply with the law. Willful violations can result in misdemeanor charges under sections 1576 and 1577. Late delivery of property triggers a 12 percent annual interest penalty. These rules ensure that businesses in Madera County follow the law and protect property owners.

County-level unclaimed money is governed by Government Code sections 50050 through 50057. Local agencies must hold unclaimed funds for three years before they can escheat to the general fund. The county must publish a notice of unclaimed funds. If no one claims the money within three years of publication, it becomes county property. This is different from state-held property, which never escheats and can be claimed at any time.

Other Unclaimed Property Resources

Several California agencies hold unclaimed money separate from the controller's program. CalPERS manages retirement benefits for public employees. If you worked for a California government agency, you may have unclaimed pension funds. Call (888) 225-7377 to search for benefits. Madera County government workers should check CalPERS for unclaimed retirement accounts.

CalSTRS holds property for teachers and school employees. If you worked in a Madera County school and did not claim your retirement account, CalSTRS may have your money. Contact them at (800) 228-5453 to file a claim.

The California Department of Insurance provides access to the Life Insurance Policy Locator. This tool helps you find policies when you do not know which company held the policy. Call the consumer hotline at (800) 927-4357. Madera County residents should use this service if a family member died and may have had life insurance.

The Employment Development Department handles unclaimed unemployment and disability benefits. If you had an uncashed check from EDD, file a claim using form DE 903SD. There is no fee. Call (800) 300-5616 for unemployment insurance or (800) 480-3287 for disability insurance.

For unpaid wages, the Department of Industrial Relations runs an Unpaid Wage Fund. This fund holds money collected from employers who did not pay workers. Call (833) 526-4636 to see if you have wages waiting. Check each of these programs separately if you think you may have funds in Madera County or elsewhere in California.

Contact Information for Claims

For California State Controller unclaimed property, call (800) 992-4647 during regular business hours. If calling from outside the United States, dial (916) 323-2827. You can also contact the controller through an online form.

Mail claims to Chief, Unclaimed Property Division, P.O. Box 942850, Sacramento, CA 94250-5873. For in-person visits or overnight mail, use 10600 White Rock Road, Suite 141, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670.

For Madera County excess proceeds or local unclaimed funds, contact the Treasurer-Tax Collector at (559) 675-7713. Visit the county excess proceeds page for more information on tax sale programs.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Madera County. If you lived or worked in multiple counties, search for unclaimed money in each location. The state controller database covers all of California, but county excess proceeds are managed locally.