An unclaimed fund is money left to heirs of an estate who cannot be located, OR when the Fiduciary/Attorney has attempted to pay funds but the person/creditor has not endorsed or otherwise refused to accept the delivery of such payment.

When an heir has been made aware of the funds due to them, they must apply for payment with the Probate Court.

The following link is the complete list, updated nightly, of all Unclaimed Funds currently held by the Franklin County Treasurer: http://www.franklincountyauditor.com/fiscal/unclaimed-funds

There are three stages of the Unclaimed Fund process with the Probate Court:

1. Application to Deposit

2. Entry to Deposit

3. Application for Payment

All Forms must be filled out completely or may be rejected by the Court.

Application for Payment of Unclaimed Funds Originating from Franklin County Probate Court

1. Enter Name of Estate and Case Number.
2. Enter the amount of original deposit.
3. Applicant's signature, address and phone number.

 

Entry

1. A Magistrate must initial the Entry after having completed entire form.
    

Release of all claims

1. Enter the name of the claimant who is to receive the funds.
2. Check the appropriate box and fill in the blanks.
3. Fill in the date signed.
4. Claimant must sign in front of two witnesses.

 

The applicant/claimant must prove his/her identity, his/her relationship to the decedent, and that he/she is the authentic missing heir

Example: If claimant is the maternal grandchild of the decedent, they must provide a certified copy of their birth certificate showing who their mother is, and a certified copy of their mother's birth certificate showing mother is daughter of decedent.
If claimant is the paternal grandchild of the decedent, they must provide a certified copy of their birth certificate showing who their father is, and a certified copy of their father's birth certificate showing father is the son of the decedent.
 

To prove identity and/or relationship to decedent, the applicant/claimant needs the following documentation:

1. Certified Copy of Birth Certificate - Ohio Vital Statistics - 614-466-2532
2. State Issued Photo ID and/or driver's license
3. Social Security Number must be confidentially supplied to the Court
4. When required, the applicant/claimant may be asked to supply photographs to establish identity and/or family relationships.
5. Family members may be contacted to corroborate identity and/or relationship to the decedent.

 

Our staff will assist you in the payment process as the Probate Court wants all missing heirs to receive their bequests.