State Unclaimed Property in Massachusetts

Official search

Search findmassmoney.gov for free and file a claim online.¹

Dormancy period

Property is generally turned over to the Treasurer after three years of no owner contact.²

Documents for an heir or estate claim

If the estate was probated, the Division asks for a copy of the original court appointment: the Probate and Family Court's Letters of Authority for Personal Representative (MPC 751).^{3, 4}

If the estate was not probated, the claim uses the Treasurer's Affidavit of Heirs form, which the Division limits to claims under $1,000.³

Claiming without a probate order

For an estate that was not probated and a claim under $1,000, the Treasurer's Affidavit of Heirs form is notarized and lists all beneficiaries under intestate law.^{3, 5}

Under M.G.L. c. 190B § 3-1201, voluntary administration can substitute for full probate for an estate consisting entirely of personal property of $25,000 or less, excluding the value of a car, with no real estate.^{6, 7}

Voluntary administration is filed at least 30 days after death, if no petition for appointment of a personal representative has been filed.^{6, 7}

Voluntary administration results in no court appointment and no Letters of Authority. The Register of Probate issues an attested copy of the Voluntary Administration Statement (MPC 170), which the voluntary personal representative presents to the holder.⁸

Processing time

Allow up to 180 days once the Unclaimed Property Division has received all required documentation.^{9, 10, 11}

Some claims are approved automatically; most need additional information to verify the claimant is the rightful owner or heir. Claim status can be checked online at findmassmoney.gov.⁹

Deadline to claim

Under M.G.L. c. 200A, s. 10, a person claiming an interest in property surrendered to the State Treasurer may establish the claim at any time thereafter.¹²

The Division states there is no time limit for filing claims; the state holds unclaimed property in perpetuity for the rightful owners.¹³

Governing law: M.G.L. c. 200A

Probate and Family Court

Issues Letters of Authority for a personal representative⁴

Register of Probate

Issues the attested copy of a Voluntary Administration Statement⁸

1. 1.Find Mass Money (Massachusetts State Treasurer, Unclaimed Property Division)
2. 2.FAQ, General (Unclaimed Property Division)
3. 3.Forms (Unclaimed Property Division)
4. 4.MUPC Estate Administration Procedural Guide: General considerations
5. 5.Affidavit of Heirs (Massachusetts State Treasurer)
6. 6.M.G.L. c. 190B, s. 3-1201
7. 7.File a voluntary administration for an estate (Mass.gov)
8. 8.MUPC Estate Administration Procedural Guide: Voluntary administration
9. 9.Claim Status Search (Unclaimed Property Division)
10. 10.Unclaimed Property Division (Mass.gov)
11. 11.Find unclaimed property (Mass.gov)
12. 12.M.G.L. c. 200A, s. 10
13. 13.FAQ, Claiming Property (Unclaimed Property Division)