Monterey County Unclaimed Property

Monterey County unclaimed money sits in two places. The county treasurer holds funds from estates of decedents with unknown or unlocated heirs. The California State Controller maintains the main database for property reported by businesses. Most residents search both to find what belongs to them. Banks in Salinas, employers in Monterey, and insurers across the county all report unclaimed property to the state each year. Meanwhile, the county treasurer handles specialized cases involving deceased individuals. You need to check both systems because they operate separately. The state holds billions statewide while the county manages a smaller but important pool of local funds. Search your name in both databases. Former residents who lived in Salinas or worked along the Central Coast often find money they forgot about years ago.

County Treasurer Unclaimed Estate Funds

The Monterey County Treasurer-Tax Collector holds unclaimed money from estates of decedents. This happens when someone dies and heirs cannot be found. The county receives the estate funds and holds them in trust. These funds do not automatically become county property. They remain available for heirs to claim.

Under certain circumstances, the county treasurer may receive unclaimed money from estates where heirs are either unknown or unlocated. This is different from most unclaimed property programs. It focuses specifically on deceased individuals rather than dormant accounts or uncashed checks. If you believe you are an heir to a Monterey County estate, contact the treasurer's office directly.

The Monterey County Treasurer-Tax Collector office is located in Salinas. Call (831) 755-5057 with questions about estate funds. You will need to provide proof of your relationship to the deceased. A death certificate is usually required. If multiple heirs exist, you may need a court order or probate documents to claim your share. There is no fee to file a claim with the county.

Estate funds are a small part of overall unclaimed property. Most people will find their money in the state controller database. But if you had a relative die in Monterey County and you lost touch with the estate, check with the county treasurer. Funds may be sitting there waiting for you.

California State Controller Property Database

Most Monterey County unclaimed property goes to the state. Banks in Salinas report dormant accounts. Employers from Seaside to King City turn over uncashed paychecks. Insurance companies send policy proceeds to the state controller when beneficiaries cannot be found. All of this property sits in the state database until claimed.

Search for free at the state controller property search. Type your name or a business name. The system shows property type and approximate value. If you see property that belongs to you, click it to start a claim. Many claims can be filed online without mailing forms.

Monterey County has a large agricultural workforce. Seasonal workers and farm employees sometimes move without collecting final paychecks. These wages get reported to the state after one year. Tourism workers in Monterey and Carmel also have high turnover. Hotel and restaurant employees may leave money behind when they change jobs. All of this ends up with the state controller.

The database is updated regularly as new property is reported. Banks must report accounts dormant for three years. Wages are reportable after one year. Money orders take seven years. These dormancy periods are set by California Code of Civil Procedure section 1513. Once the state receives property, there is no deadline for claiming it. Property reported 20 years ago is still available.

Call (800) 992-4647 with questions about state-held property. The line is open during business hours. Staff can help you search and answer claim questions. Do not pay anyone to file a claim for you. The state processes all claims for free. Some companies called asset locators will contact you about property and charge up to 10 percent. You do not need them. File directly at no cost.

How to File a Claim

The claim process starts with a search. Go to the California State Controller unclaimed property page. Enter your name or the name of a deceased relative. If you find property, the site will guide you through the next steps. Some claims are approved instantly online. Others require mailed documents.

You must prove you own the property. For small claims under $1,000, you may only need your name, address, and Social Security number. Claims of $1,000 or more require notarization. This prevents fraud. If claiming for a deceased person, you need a death certificate. Heirs must show proof of their relationship. Business claims need incorporation documents or tax ID verification.

Common claim forms include the Claim Affirmation Form. This is generated from your search results. The state controller claim page has all forms and instructions. If you are an heir claiming a small estate, you may use a Declaration Under Probate Code 13101. Multiple heirs use a Table of Heirship form to split the property.

Mail completed forms to Chief, Unclaimed Property Division, P.O. Box 942850, Sacramento, CA 94250-5873. You can also visit the public counter at 10600 White Rock Road, Suite 141, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670. This office handles in-person questions and accepts claim forms during business hours. Most claims are decided within 180 days. Simple cash claims may be approved in 30 to 60 days. Complex claims with heirs or securities take longer.

For Monterey County estate funds, contact the county treasurer directly at (831) 755-5057. The county has its own claim process separate from the state. Do not mail county claim forms to the state controller. Know where your property is held before filing.

Note: Notarization is required only for claims of $1,000 or more, and all claims involving securities or safe deposit boxes.

Types of Unclaimed Property

Bank accounts make up most unclaimed property. Checking and savings accounts at Monterey County banks become dormant when there is no activity for three years. The bank tries to contact the owner. If the owner does not respond, the account is reported to the state. Credit unions follow the same rules. Even small balances must be reported.

Uncashed paychecks are another major source. Employers in Monterey County must report unpaid wages after one year. This includes final paychecks, commissions, and bonuses. Agricultural workers, hospitality employees, and seasonal staff often move before collecting their last pay. Those funds go to the state.

Life insurance policies generate significant unclaimed property. Someone dies and the beneficiary does not know about the policy. The insurance company tries to locate the beneficiary but fails. After a few years, the proceeds are sent to the state. Monterey County residents should check for unclaimed life insurance if a relative died and left policies behind.

Other common property types include:

• Stock dividends and mutual fund distributions
• Utility deposits from PG&E or local water districts
• Escrow funds from real estate closings
• Court deposits and legal settlement payments
• Royalties from mineral rights or creative works
• Contents of safe deposit boxes
• Matured savings bonds and CD proceeds

The county treasurer holds a different type of property. Estate funds from deceased individuals sit with the county when heirs are unknown. This is less common than bank accounts or wages. But if you are an heir to a Monterey County estate, this is where you need to look.

Unclaimed Property Laws in California

California unclaimed property law is found in the Code of Civil Procedure sections 1500 through 1582. This law governs how businesses handle dormant accounts and unclaimed funds. It applies to all California counties including Monterey County. The law defines unclaimed property and sets dormancy periods for different asset types.

Businesses must file annual reports with the state controller. Most file by November 1 each year. Life insurance companies have a different deadline of May 1. Before turning property over to the state, businesses must send written notice to the owner. Section 1530 requires this notice at least six months before the property is reported. This gives owners a chance to claim it before it goes to the state.

The state controller reviews and approves claims under section 1540. Decisions are made within 180 days for most claims. No interest is paid on unclaimed property. If the state held your funds for ten years, you receive the original amount only. This means inflation erodes the real value over time.

Penalties exist for businesses that fail to comply. 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 encourage Monterey County businesses to report property on time.

County-held funds follow Government Code sections 50050 through 50057. These sections cover cities, counties, and local agencies. Unclaimed money held by the county for three years can escheat to the general fund after publication. This differs from state-held property, which never escheats and remains claimable forever.

Contact Information

For California State Controller unclaimed property, call (800) 992-4647. This toll-free number is available during business hours. From outside the United States, call (916) 323-2827. You can also submit questions through the state controller online contact form.

Mail claims to Chief, Unclaimed Property Division, P.O. Box 942850, Sacramento, CA 94250-5873. For in-person visits or overnight delivery, use 10600 White Rock Road, Suite 141, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670. The public counter is open during normal business hours.

For Monterey County estate funds and county-held unclaimed property, contact the Treasurer-Tax Collector at (831) 755-5057. The office is located in Salinas. Visit during regular hours to ask questions or file a claim for county-held funds.

Additional Sources of Unclaimed Funds

Several other agencies hold unclaimed money for California residents. CalPERS manages unclaimed retirement benefits for public employees. If you worked for Monterey County government, a school district, or another public agency, you may have unclaimed pension funds. Call (888) 225-7377 to search.

CalSTRS holds unclaimed property for teachers. Monterey County has many school districts. Teachers who left the profession may have retirement funds waiting. Call (800) 228-5453 to check.

The California Department of Insurance offers a Life Insurance Policy Locator service. This helps find policies when you do not know the company name. The consumer hotline is (800) 927-4357.

For unclaimed state tax refunds, contact the California Franchise Tax Board at (800) 852-5711. Refund checks are valid for six months. After that, you must request a replacement.

The California Employment Development Department holds unclaimed unemployment and disability benefits. File a claim using form DE 903SD. Call (800) 300-5616 for unemployment questions or (800) 480-3287 for disability insurance.

The Department of Industrial Relations runs an Unpaid Wage Fund for workers owed money by employers. Call (833) 526-4636 to check. All of these programs are separate from the state controller and county treasurer, so check each one.

Major Cities in Monterey County

Monterey County includes Salinas, the largest city and county seat. Residents of Salinas and other Monterey County cities can have unclaimed property held by the state or county. The state controller database covers all cities. The county treasurer program is countywide and not limited to specific cities.

Other cities in Monterey County include Monterey, Seaside, Marina, Soledad, King City, Gonzales, Greenfield, and Carmel. All residents of these cities should search for unclaimed property at both the state and county level.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Monterey 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 programs are local and require separate searches.