Frequently Asked Questions
In today’s world, it is wise to question the validity of any claim before proceeding. A key indicator of an unethical company or person is if they ask for money upfront. With a legitimate claim, there is rarely any reason to require cash upfront to pursue the claim. All Counties Surplus, LLC will never ask you for money upfront and will cover any necessary expenses to establish your right to the claim. When necessary, All Counties Surplus, LLC will even hire an attorney at no cost to you.
These are just some examples of sources of unclaimed assets that we can help you recover. This list includes the most frequently found forms of unclaimed money, but there are many other possible forms that may be left behind or unclaimed by their owners:
- Bank accounts
- Remaining funds after foreclosure
- Tax deed sales
- Safe deposit box contents
- Mutual funds
- Stocks and bonds
- Dividends
- Salaries
- Uncashed payroll checks
- Checking or savings accounts
- Insurance policies
- Certificates of Deposit (CDs)
- Trust funds
- Annuities
- Utility deposits
- Escrow accounts
- Inheritance money
- Unredeemed money orders or gift certificates
- Mineral royalty payments
- Various forms of refunds
- Unclaimed items: Artwork, heirlooms, or other valuable collections
Our expert team of professional investigators, skip tracers, and private detectives use all available resources to find our clients. We access multiple subscription databases and online public records databases, and even make in-person visits to family members and former neighbors. This phase of the recovery process is the slowest and most costly, often taking from a month to several years.
This depends on where the funds are being held and how much time has passed. Unclaimed property generally arises due to various factors, such as:
- Change of Residence or Business Location: Failure to update address information can result in checks, statements, and physical assets being undelivered or forgotten.
- Uncashed Checks: Checks received but misplaced, forgotten, or never cashed.
- Incomplete Wills or Estate Administration: When property owners pass away without a complete will, their assets, including bank accounts, safe deposit boxes, or stocks, may not be discovered by their heirs.
- Administrative Errors: Errors in the names or addresses of recipients can prevent mail delivery, leaving property owners unaware of their assets.
- Simple Forgetfulness: Owners may forget about their assets over time.
- Accounts Opened for Minors: Parents or guardians may open accounts for minors but not inform them, leading to a lack of knowledge until public notices are issued.
- Corporate Changes: Mergers, acquisitions, bankruptcies, or business closures can lead to misplaced or forgotten assets.
- Excess Payments: Payments made without clear indications of which account they should apply to.
These reasons contribute to assets being classified as unclaimed property until the rightful owners or heirs claim them.
The expiration of the statute of limitations depends on the location where the funds are being held and the amount of time that has already passed. In many cases, All Counties Surplus, LLC strives to locate the claimant while the claim is still recent. This allows us the maximum opportunity to pursue the claim successfully. However, in other cases, the claim may be near its expiration in just a few days. Therefore, it is crucial to initiate the claim process as soon as possible.
In many instances, the agencies holding these assets have specific requirements that must be met before the funds can be released. Unfortunately, these processes can be slow, highlighting the importance of starting the process promptly.
The first requirement to claim unclaimed funds on your own is knowing where the funds are, and not all claims are easy to find. Even if you locate them, there are still compelling reasons for an experienced third party to pursue the claim on your behalf.
The agencies holding these assets often have numerous requirements to prove your right to the claim and to format your request correctly. These agencies can be difficult to deal with, responding slowly and delaying the release of your money. They have an incentive to keep the money if you do not follow their rules and meet their deadlines.
For these reasons, having the experienced team at All Counties Surplus, LLC help you navigate this complex process can be a wise decision. We have the expertise to handle the complexities of your claim, ensuring all requirements are met promptly. Additionally, All Counties Surplus, LLC hires attorneys to successfully pursue your claim AT NO COST TO YOU.
In some jurisdictions, attorneys are used almost exclusively because a formal motion must be filed with the district court to pursue the claim. The attorney can also request an order from the judge to release the money. In other areas, the format and requirements for filing a claim are simpler, and an attorney is not needed. The complexity of the claim could also dictate the need for an attorney. If an attorney is hired, All Counties Surplus, LLC will advance all costs and will not deduct from your percentage of the claim.
Several factors determine the time to collect, including the complexity of the claim, the laws governing when the money can be released, and how long the claim has been pending. The process can take between 30 and 90 days. Your claims manager will keep you informed about the status of your claim as new information becomes available. All Counties Surplus, LLC is committed to expediting your claim as quickly as possible. Our incentive is aligned with yours, as we are only paid when we successfully collect your funds.
Your check will be delivered directly by the holder of the funds. Many recovery companies request that the check be sent to them, often adding hidden fees and delaying payments to clients after winning the case. ALL COUNTIES SURPLUS, LLC only asks the judge to send the check to an attorney trust account or our trust account if the client requires it, depending on the circumstances. Contact us for specific details of your case.
All Counties Surplus, LLC operates on a contingency basis. This means that we only charge the agreed percentage, which includes all costs and attorney fees, and we are only paid if we successfully recover the unclaimed property or inheritance on your behalf. If we do not win the case, you will never be charged any attorney fees or other costs. Our service fee is paid directly from the recovered funds, whether they are in the possession of the fund holder, an attorney’s trust account, or our trust account.
In general, claiming unclaimed property does not count as income. Inheritance is typically tax-free up to the exemption amount, which varies depending on the year of the person’s death. We are not qualified to offer tax advice, so please consult your tax professional to determine if your specific circumstances generate tax liability.
ALL COUNTIES SURPLUS, LLC has a success rate of over 98%. Our team is composed of licensed and experienced professionals specializing in locating and recovering surplus funds, supported by attorneys experienced in these matters. This unique experience provides us with a direct understanding of the rigorous requirements and documentation essential for successful claims, enabling us to help numerous individuals.
Here are some of the key services we offer:
- Locating Required Documents: Identifying and obtaining the necessary documents to prove ownership.
- Facilitating Estate Administration: Overseeing estate administration and managing court procedures needed to establish ownership and distribute assets.
- Coordinating Cooperation: Engaging all relevant parties to ensure collaboration and achieve desired results.
- Resolving Disputes: Assisting in resolving disputes related to asset ownership.
- Correcting Reporting Errors: Rectifying errors in information and application of unclaimed property laws and regulations.
- Appealing Denials: Appealing improper denials of unclaimed property claims.
- Correcting Inheritance Distributions: Addressing and rectifying improper inheritance distributions.
- Enforcing Legal Agreements: Facilitating the enforcement of contracts, agreements, judgments, and court orders.
- Negligence Actions: Pursuing actions against companies that fail to fully and correctly report account owners to unclaimed property administrators.
If you have received a letter, phone call, or email from us, please contact us as soon as possible. Upon receiving the initial documentation, review it, sign it, and return it by mail, fax, or email. We are prepared to move quickly with your claim, offering first-class service that is efficient and hassle-free for you.
If you have any questions, our well-specialized team will be happy to answer them.
CALL US TODAY – (305)-890-6909 / (561) 876-0524