Nevada County Unclaimed Funds

Nevada County unclaimed money is available through two distinct programs. The Nevada County Treasurer maintains an unclaimed property program that includes estates of deceased individuals. The California State Controller holds the main database for property from businesses throughout the county. Banks in Grass Valley, employers in Nevada City, and insurers across Nevada County all report unclaimed property to the state annually. The county treasurer handles a specialized program for estates and other local funds. You should search both systems to find all money that belongs to you. The state holds property from all over California while the county focuses on local estates and county-issued funds. Former residents who lived in the foothills often find accounts they opened decades ago. Current residents may discover property from relatives who passed away without known heirs.

Nevada County Estate Programs

Nevada County has its own unclaimed property program focused on estates of deceased individuals. When someone dies in Nevada County without known heirs, estate funds may end up with the county. The county treasurer holds these funds until rightful heirs come forward. This is different from most unclaimed property programs that deal with bank accounts and wages.

Estate funds become unclaimed when heirs cannot be located. The deceased may have had no will. Or the will may list heirs who have moved and left no forwarding address. The county makes efforts to find heirs but sometimes the search fails. When that happens, the money sits with the county treasurer.

If you believe you are an heir to a Nevada County estate, contact the county treasurer at 530-265-1285. You will need to provide proof of your relationship to the deceased. A death certificate is required. Additional documents may include birth certificates, marriage certificates, or probate court orders. Multiple heirs must show how the estate should be divided.

There is no fee to file a claim with Nevada County. The county processes claims directly. This is separate from the state controller system. Do not send county estate claims to the state. Know where the property is held before you file.

Note: Estate claims may take longer to process than standard unclaimed property claims due to heir verification requirements.

State Controller Unclaimed Property

Most Nevada County unclaimed property goes to the California State Controller. Local banks report dormant checking and savings accounts. Grass Valley and Nevada City employers turn over uncashed paychecks. Insurance companies send policy proceeds when they cannot find beneficiaries. All of this ends up in the state database.

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

Nevada County has a mix of retirees and working families. People move in and out of the area. When they move, they sometimes forget about bank accounts or final paychecks. Employers must report uncashed wages after one year. Banks report dormant accounts after three years. These dormancy periods are set by state law.

Under Code of Civil Procedure section 1513, different property types have different dormancy periods. Wages become reportable after one year. Bank deposits after three years. Money orders after seven years. Traveler's checks after fifteen years. Once property reaches the state, there is no deadline for claiming it. Property reported 30 years ago is still available.

Call (800) 992-4647 with questions about state-held property. The state controller processes all claims for free. Do not pay someone to file a claim. Asset locators may charge up to 10 percent of the value. You do not need them. File directly at no cost.

How to File a Claim

Start by searching for your property at the California State Controller unclaimed property page. Enter your name or the name of a deceased relative. If you find property, the website guides you through the claim process. Some claims are approved instantly online. Others require paper forms sent by mail.

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

The main claim form is the Claim Affirmation Form. This is generated from your search results. Additional forms may be needed. The state controller claim page has all forms and instructions. Heirs claiming a small estate may use a Declaration Under Probate Code 13101. Multiple heirs use a Table of Heirship form.

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 during business hours. Most claims are decided within 180 days. Simple claims may be approved in 30 to 60 days.

For Nevada County estate funds, contact the county treasurer at 530-265-1285. The county has its own claim forms and procedures. Do not send county estate forms to the state controller. These are two separate systems.

Types of Unclaimed Property

Bank accounts are the most common unclaimed property. Checking accounts, savings accounts, and credit union deposits become dormant after three years of no owner contact. Nevada County has local banks and credit unions. Thousands of accounts sit dormant each year. The bank tries to reach the owner. If they cannot, the account goes to the state.

Uncashed paychecks are another major category. Employers in Nevada County must report unpaid wages after one year. This includes final paychecks, bonuses, and commissions. When someone leaves a job and moves away, their last check may go unclaimed. Even small amounts must be reported.

Life insurance policies generate significant unclaimed property. The policyholder dies and beneficiaries do not know about the policy. The insurance company tries to locate them but fails. After a period of dormancy, the proceeds go to the state. Nevada County residents should check for life insurance if a relative died.

Other common types include:

• Stock dividends and mutual fund distributions
• Utility deposits from PG&E or local providers
• Escrow accounts from real estate transactions
• Court deposits and legal settlement payments
• Royalties from mineral rights or creative works
• Safe deposit box contents
• Matured savings bonds and CDs

Nevada County also holds estate funds. These come from deceased individuals with unknown or unlocated heirs. This is a specialized category separate from the state system. If you are an heir to a Nevada County estate, check with the county treasurer.

California Unclaimed Property Law

The California Unclaimed Property Law is found in Code of Civil Procedure sections 1500 through 1582. This law governs how businesses handle dormant property and unclaimed funds. It applies statewide including in Nevada County. The law defines unclaimed property and sets dormancy periods for different asset types.

Holders of unclaimed property must file annual reports with the state controller. Most businesses file by November 1. Life insurance companies file by May 1. Before turning property over to the state, holders must try to contact the owner. Section 1530 requires written notice to the owner's last known address at least six months before reporting. This gives owners a chance to claim property before it goes to the state.

The state controller decides claims under section 1540. Most claims are decided within 180 days. No interest is paid on unclaimed property. If the state held your money for ten years, you receive the original amount only.

Businesses that fail to comply face penalties. Willful violations are misdemeanors under sections 1576 and 1577. Late delivery of property triggers a 12 percent annual interest penalty. These rules encourage Nevada County businesses to report property on time.

County-held funds operate under Government Code sections 50050 through 50057. These sections cover unclaimed money held by cities, counties, and local agencies. Funds held for three years can escheat to the county 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 operates during business hours. From outside the United States, call (916) 323-2827. You can 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 mail, use 10600 White Rock Road, Suite 141, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670. The public counter is open during normal business hours.

For Nevada County estate funds and county-held unclaimed property, contact the county treasurer at 530-265-1285. The office is located in Nevada City. Visit during regular hours to ask questions or file a claim for county-held estate funds.

Additional Unclaimed Money Sources

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

CalSTRS holds unclaimed property for teachers. Nevada County has several school districts. Former teachers may have retirement accounts waiting. Call (800) 228-5453 for help.

The California Department of Insurance offers a Life Insurance Policy Locator service. This helps find policies when you do not know the insurance company. 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 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.

Cities in Nevada County

Nevada County includes Grass Valley, Nevada City, and Truckee. Residents of all Nevada County cities can have unclaimed property held by the state or county. The state controller database covers all California cities. The county treasurer program handles estates countywide. No Nevada County cities have populations over 100,000.

Search for unclaimed property at both the state and county level regardless of which city you lived in. Many people move between foothill communities and may have left property in multiple locations.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Nevada 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.