For executors and administrators
The State may be holding money that belongs to the estate
Bank balances, uncashed checks and policy payments can reach New York’s unclaimed funds after a death. As the estate’s executor or administrator, you can claim them. If you’d rather not do the paperwork, we can do it for you.
You can claim it yourself, for free
The Office of the State Comptroller holds unclaimed funds indefinitely and charges no fee to claim them. You can search and file at osc.ny.gov/unclaimed-funds.
An estate claim takes more than a personal one. The Comptroller asks for the claim form and supporting documents, including proof that the Surrogate’s Court appointed you to act for the estate. Some claims need follow-up before they’re paid.
That’s the work we take on. If you’d rather hand it off, we gather the paperwork, file the claim and follow it until it’s paid.
How it works
1. Free check
Send us the name of the person who died and their last known addresses. Within 48 hours we tell you whether New York’s list shows property in that name.
2. You decide
We explain what’s listed. If you hire us, you sign the Comptroller’s standard fee agreement with us, notarized. There’s no obligation.
3. We do the claim
We gather the documents, file with the Comptroller and handle follow-up questions until the claim is paid.
4. The estate is paid
Our fee comes only from the recovered funds. If nothing is recovered, the estate owes nothing.
What it costs
- Nothing up front, ever.
- A percentage of what’s recovered, never more than 15%, the limit set by New York law.
- The percentage is written on the State’s own form, and the Surrogate’s Court can review it.
- If nothing is recovered, the estate owes nothing.
If the estate has a lawyer
We’re glad to work alongside them. We keep the estate’s attorney copied on every step, and any court step stays with them. We don’t give legal advice or prepare court papers.
If you’re not sure whether to involve your lawyer, ask them. We’ll happily speak with them first.
Common questions
Do I have to pay anything up front?
No. Our fee is paid only from the funds we recover, and it’s never more than 15%.
Why not just file the claim myself?
You can, and it’s free. People hire us when they’d rather not gather the documents, track down old addresses and answer the Comptroller’s follow-up questions themselves.
The estate is already closed. Is it too late?
Not necessarily. Funds can still be claimed after an estate closes. Some claims need a court step first, such as an updated appointment, and that’s handled by the estate’s attorney.
What do you need from me for the free check?
The full name of the person who died and their last known addresses. We don’t need Social Security numbers or bank details for the check.
Ask us to check an estate
We’ll reply within one business day, and report back on a free check within 48 hours. Or call Yoni Lebovits at (848) 420-9266.
Thank you for your response. ✨
Please don’t send Social Security numbers or account numbers through this form.
Abandoned funds held by the State can be obtained directly from the Office of the State Comptroller by the owner of such funds without paying a fee. These funds are held indefinitely by the Office of the State Comptroller. For more information, contact the Office of the State Comptroller at 1-800-221-9311 or http://www.osc.ny.gov/unclaimed-funds.
