FAQ — Research Excess Unclaimed Funds Recovery

Question 1

What are unclaimed funds?

Accepted Answer

Unclaimed funds are money held by government agencies on behalf of individuals who have not yet claimed them. They arise from many sources: surplus proceeds after a tax lien or mortgage foreclosure sale, dormant escrow accounts, uncashed checks, insurance policy payouts, utility deposits, and abandoned financial accounts. States are required by law to hold these funds indefinitely until the rightful owner — or their heir — comes forward to claim them.

Question 2

How does money end up with the government?

Accepted Answer

When a property is sold at a tax or foreclosure auction for more than what was owed, the surplus goes to the former owner. If that person can't be located, the funds are turned over to the state. Similarly, when financial accounts go dormant, insurance policies go uncashed, or escrow balances are never collected, those funds are eventually escheated — transferred — to the state's unclaimed property program.

Question 3

How much money is typically involved?

Accepted Answer

It varies widely. Surplus proceeds from a property sale can range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands, depending on the property value and what was owed. Dormant financial accounts and insurance payouts vary just as much. We don't pursue claims unless we've verified the funds exist and the amount justifies the effort for you.

Question 4

Can I search for unclaimed funds myself?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every state maintains a public unclaimed property database, and you can search them for free at any time. The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) maintains a directory of official state portals at missingmoney.com. We encourage you to search on your own. Where Research Excess adds value is in identifying funds that don't appear in standard searches — particularly surplus proceeds from county tax and foreclosure records, which are often not included in state unclaimed property databases.

Question 5

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

Submit your name, contact information, and the states where you've lived or worked using our contact form. That's all we need to begin. There's no fee, no commitment, and no paperwork required at this stage.

Question 6

What happens after I submit my information?

Accepted Answer

Doug will review your submission and begin researching government records in the states you've identified. If funds are located and verified, he'll contact you with the details. If nothing is found, you'll hear that too — we don't leave people waiting indefinitely.

Question 7

How long does the research take?

Accepted Answer

Initial research typically takes one to three weeks, depending on the number of states involved and the complexity of the records. Some searches resolve faster; others take longer if records are incomplete or require additional verification.

Question 8

Will I have to do anything myself?

Accepted Answer

Very little. Once you sign our agreement, we handle all claim preparation and filing. You may be asked to provide identification documents or sign specific forms required by the agency — we'll tell you exactly what's needed and when. Beyond that, the process is largely hands-off for you.

Question 9

Do I have to use a firm like Research Excess, or can I file myself?

Accepted Answer

You can always file a claim yourself — and if you've already identified the funds, you should consider doing so. Government agencies do not require you to use a recovery firm. Research Excess provides value when you don't know the funds exist, when the filing process is complex, or when you simply prefer to have someone handle it for you. We never pressure anyone to use our services.

Question 10

What does Research Excess charge?

Accepted Answer

We work on a contingency basis. Our fee is a percentage of the funds we recover on your behalf. That percentage is disclosed clearly in our written agreement before any work begins. If we don't recover anything, you owe us nothing.

Question 11

Are there any upfront costs?

Accepted Answer

No. There are no upfront fees, no retainers, and no charges for the initial research. You pay nothing until funds are recovered and disbursed.

Question 12

How is the fee collected?

Accepted Answer

Our fee is deducted from the recovered funds before they are disbursed to you. You never write us a check or make a payment out of pocket. The net amount — after our fee — is what you receive.

Question 13

Is the fee negotiable?

Accepted Answer

Our fee structure is set and disclosed upfront. We don't negotiate on a case-by-case basis, but you'll know exactly what the fee is before you sign anything. If you're not comfortable with the terms, you're under no obligation to proceed.

Question 14

How do I know this isn't a scam?

Accepted Answer

That's a fair and important question. Unclaimed funds scams are real, and healthy skepticism is warranted. Here's how to protect yourself: never pay anyone upfront to recover unclaimed funds. Legitimate recovery firms — including Research Excess — are paid only from what they recover. Before signing anything with us, verify the funds exist through your state's official unclaimed property portal. We will provide you with enough information to do that verification independently.

Question 15

Is unclaimed funds recovery a legitimate industry?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Unclaimed property recovery is a recognized and regulated industry. Many states have laws governing how recovery firms operate, including caps on contingency fees and requirements for written agreements. Research Excess operates in compliance with applicable state regulations.

Question 16

What information do you need from me, and how is it protected?

Accepted Answer

To begin a search, we need your name and the states where you've lived or worked. If we locate funds and you choose to proceed, we'll need identification documents to file the claim — typically a government-issued ID and proof of address. Your information is used solely for the purpose of researching and filing your claim and is never sold or shared with third parties.

Question 17

What if I'm contacted by Research Excess out of the blue?

Accepted Answer

We do proactively contact individuals when we've identified funds in their name. If you receive a letter or call from us, you are under no obligation to respond or engage. We encourage you to verify any claim we present through official state records before signing anything. A legitimate firm will welcome that scrutiny.

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