Over the years, you may have lost wealth that you no longer keep track of or didn’t know existed. If you’re a Washington resident, here are some important things to know about searching or lost assets, particularly if you’re going through a divorce.
Why does the money go missing?
Companies and other organizations that hold your assets have to follow stringent regulations. These organizations are required to maintain regular contact with and provide statements that will allow you to use your assets as you please. However, this can be a challenge, for instance, if you get a divorce, you move to a new home or someone passes away. Notifying an asset holder of your new mailing address may not be a priority. As the years pass, you may forget about certain accounts.
Finding claimed assets
You can find assets yourself by searching for the assets that have been turned over in any state where you’ve lived in the past. In most cases, your assets will be turned over to the state with the last address you have on file.
If you’re going through a divorce and need to find lost assets, you can file a claim. This will allow you to find all assets in your name. To complete the claim, you must prove your identity and verify your former addresses. You’ll also need to submit documentation that shows you have the right to the assets.
It may be beneficial to ask for help if you’re not able to locate a particular asset. Contact the state to ask about research options. There’s a chance that your assets are not showing up in online databases, so you may need to submit the correct information.
