Clear answers, official sources.

Unclaimed property is money or financial assets that have gone dormant and been turned over to a state government by the institution holding them — typically after one to five years of inactivity. Common examples include forgotten bank accounts, uncashed payroll or dividend checks, life insurance payouts, security deposits, refunds, and safe deposit box contents. It is not physical real estate; it is cash and financial value held by the state on the owner’s behalf.

Begin with a complimentary audit. We search state databases, locate any assets that appear to belong to you, and confirm the claimant records before discussing next steps. You can also search official state databases yourself — we list the Illinois and California tools in the Resources section below.

You are always entitled to claim directly through the state at no cost. Many claims, however, stall on documentation requirements, mismatched name or address records, or multiple claimants to the same asset. Our role is to handle the administrative process end to end so the claim is filed correctly the first time and reaches a resolution.

Nothing upfront. Engagements are performance-based: there are no retainers, no hourly fees, and no out-of-pocket expense. Our compensation is a pre-agreed percentage of the amount successfully recovered. If no funds are recovered, you owe nothing.

The fee percentage is disclosed in writing before you sign anything and is agreed to in advance. It does not change based on the amount recovered, and it is only charged after funds have been recovered and returned to you. Illinois and California both cap what a finder may charge, and our agreements comply with those limits.

Timelines vary by state agency and by how complete the documentation is. Straightforward claims are often resolved in roughly 60 to 90 days. Claims involving estates, name changes, or multiple holders can take longer. You are kept informed at each stage rather than left waiting in silence.

The identification requirements vary depending on the type of property and heirarchy of ownership. We provide a specific checklist for your claim and tell you exactly what is needed before you gather anything.

We currently focus on Illinois and California. Friedman CMA is licensed by the Office of the Illinois State Treasurer (License No. 2026-180401) and registered as an investigator with the California State Controller. If your property is held elsewhere, we will tell you plainly rather than take on a claim we cannot serve well.

Both states license or register unclaimed property finders, and you can verify our standing directly with the Illinois State Treasurer and the California State Controller. We will never ask for payment upfront, never ask for your Social Security number by email or text, and never pressure you to sign on the spot.

There is no fixed ceiling. Individual claims range from small uncashed checks to six-figure amounts from insurance payouts, dormant accounts, or estate assets. The amount is determined by the records the state and the holding institution report.

Yes. When a property is sold at foreclosure or tax sale for more than the debt and costs owed, the excess may be payable to the former owner. These funds are held separately and require specific documentation to release. We identify whether a surplus exists and manage the claim.

You owe nothing, and you are under no obligation to engage us. The audit is complimentary and there is no cost to learn that no recoverable property was identified under your name.

Yes. Ownership records are reviewed and, where more than one party has a valid interest, the claim is resolved according to the state’s rules and the documentation provided. We disclose any competing interest we identify before proceeding.

Documents are used solely to prepare and support your claim, are shared only with the agency or institution processing it, and are not sold. You can review the details in our Privacy Policy.

The financial risk is zero — you pay nothing unless funds are recovered. The practical consideration is time: you will need to provide identification and sign authorization documents. You may withdraw at any point before funds are released.