State Unclaimed Property in Maine

Official search

Search and file claims online for free at maineunclaimedproperty.gov.¹

Property held by other states

For property held by other states, the Treasurer points to the multi-state search at missingmoney.com.¹

Who may claim for a deceased owner

The most appropriate person, the surviving spouse or personal representative, completes and submits an Affidavit and Agreement Supporting Claim for a Deceased Person with the claim form.²

Documents for an heir or estate claim

For a deceased owner, the claimant files the Treasurer's Estate Affidavit, a notarized form, with the claim.^{2, 3}

The Treasurer requests any further documents, such as probate documents or proof of relationship, in writing.^{2, 3}

Claiming without a probate order

For an unprobated estate, the claimant may pair the Affidavit of a Small Estate in Maine with the Treasurer's Estate Affidavit and legal proof of relationship, and the check can then be made payable to the claimant for claims up to $40,000.³

The Treasurer's Forms page states that the small-estate form can be used with the Estate Affidavit for estates not probated through the courts, but the claimant is taking on the responsibility of a personal representative.⁴

Under 18-C M.R.S. §3-1201, the entire estate, less liens and encumbrances, must not exceed $40,000, adjusted for inflation under 18-C M.R.S. §1-108 and published annually by each county probate court.⁵

The statute also requires that 30 days have elapsed since the death and that no appointment of a personal representative is pending or granted in any jurisdiction.⁵

Processing time

Under 33 M.R.S. §2154, the administrator must approve or deny a claim within 90 days after the claim is filed and completed.⁶

A claim is complete when the claimant has provided all the information and documentation the administrator requested to prove legal ownership.⁶

If a claim is denied

Under 33 M.R.S. §2154, if the administrator takes no action on a claim within the 90-day period, the claim is deemed denied.⁶

How an approved claim is paid

Checks are made payable to the estate of the deceased owner, not to the claimant, unless the small-estate route is used.²

Under 33 M.R.S. §2155, once a claim is approved the administrator must pay within 30 days.⁷

Under 33 M.R.S. §2155(2), property the administrator holds is subject to a claim for the owner's enforceable Maine debts: child support arrearages including collection costs, a final court judgment, and state or federal taxes, penalties and interest determined to be delinquent.⁷

Deadline to claim

The Treasurer states there is no time limit to claim. Maine holds unclaimed funds in trust, with the State Treasurer as custodian, until they are claimed by the owner or an heir, and the State never takes ownership of the money.²

Fees

The Treasurer states there is no fee for this service.²

Governing law: 33 M.R.S. Chapter 45 (Maine Revised Unclaimed Property Act); 33 M.R.S. 2153-2155

The administrator approves or denies the claim

within 90 days of the claim is filed and completed; the claim is deemed denied⁶

Payment of an approved claim

within 30 days of approval of the claim⁷

County probate courts

Publish the inflation-adjusted small-estate limit under 18-C M.R.S. §1-108 each year⁵

1. 1.Maine Unclaimed Property (Office of the Maine State Treasurer)
2. 2.Claim FAQ (Maine Unclaimed Property)
3. 3.Estate Affidavit (Office of the Maine State Treasurer)
4. 4.Forms (Maine Unclaimed Property)
5. 5.18-C M.R.S. §3-1201
6. 6.33 M.R.S. §2154
7. 7.33 M.R.S. §2155
8. 8.Affidavit of a Small Estate in Maine