Making the most of unclaimed property in Massachusetts will require you to determine the holder of the property. Cities and counties may serve as custodians of unclaimed property until certain criteria are met. At that time, custodianship of the property is then turned over to the state. This allows claimants to search for their property in a central location.

Abandoned property in MA can be an inexpensive way to obtain business equipment as companies frequently lose property through misfortune or carelessness. The appropriate agency will require specific forms and procedures in order to approve your claim on the property. Unclaimed property generally falls into one of the following categories:

1. MA lost property such as uncashed checks, a bank account or the contents of a safe deposit box.

2. MA abandoned property that the original owner is unlikely to claim. This is commonly a wrecked vehicle or real estate with delinquent taxes but may also include a treasure trove. Property owners usually have a superior claim to a treasure trove than a trespasser who discovers the property.

3. Massachusetts state unclaimed property that is confiscated by law enforcement. This is frequently the result of a drug or tax seizure.

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Find agencies that handle state of Massachusetts abandoned property

Start at the state level if you are looking for property that belongs to a specific person and work down.

I recommend: The Abandoned Property Division of the State Treasurer for Massachusetts allows you to search for unclaimed property in the state. The Brookline Police Department describes its procedure for disposing of unclaimed property in its possession per city ordinance.

Learn more about the laws regarding Massachusetts unclaimed property

Each state has laws regarding the disposition of unclaimed property. The MA abandoned property division should specify the conditions that allow the state to assume custodianship of the property and any conditions that allow the property to revert to the state.

I recommend: USLegal has the complete text of the Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act for Massachusetts. The tax practice group for Partridge Snow & Hahn has specific experience with unclaimed property compliance.

Buy a vehicle in an MA unclaimed property auction

Look at the various auctions that occur regularly throughout Massachusetts if you are interested in bidding on a car. Vehicles are typically the mainstays of unclaimed property auctions and consist of abandoned vehicles, vehicles seized by law enforcement and surplus vehicles.

I recommend: The Weymouth Police Department regularly auctions off unclaimed property in its possession. The Newbury Police Department conducts auctions of unclaimed vehicles as specified by town ordinance.

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• •  The process of turning over unclaimed property in Massachusetts to the state is called escheatment and legal documents may therefore refer to the property as escheat. Businesses usually encounter escheat in the form of an unclaimed pay check and are generally required to make a good faith effort to find the owner.

A court may classify unclaimed property in Massachusetts as abandoned, lost or mislaid. These classifications have their origins in common law and can be difficult to interpret under modern legal systems. Massachusetts abandoned property law generally ensures property is not left ownerless and property owners usually have a superior claim to a trespasser who discovers the property.

There are specific forms and procedures to follow when claiming Massachusetts abandoned property. Generally, the state serves as the custodian for abandoned property in Massachusetts until the appropriate agencies approve the finder’s claim on the abandoned property. Massachusetts companies frequently lose property through misfortune or carelessness. Unclaimed property can be an inexpensive way to obtain business equipment.

There are general types of MA abandoned property:

1. Liquid assets such as a dormant bank account, safe deposit contents, unclaimed deposits or refunds, uncashed checks and unused insurance benefits;

2. Abandoned property the original owner is unlikely to return to claim. Certain property such as wrecked cars, ships or aircraft may belong to the state;

3. Property confiscated by law enforcement or repossessed by a loan company. These items are frequently auctioned off to the public.

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Find agencies that handle unclaimed property in MA

Beware of sites that charge you a fee to help you find contact information for the Massachusetts unclaimed property division. This information should be available from your state government at no charge.

I recommend: Conduct a national search at MissingMoney.com by first and last name, and state. The Massachusetts Abandoned Property Division keeps a database of unclaimed property that is searchable by name, business name and city.

Participate in an auction for abandoned property in MA

Most states have their own auctions to allow prospective buyers to bid on unclaimed or otherwise abandoned property.

I recommend: Carsfrom500.com allows you to search for government auctions in your area. You can specify zip code and a search radius on its website. SeizedLuxuryHomes.com allows you to search for seized homes by zip code. You may bid on these homes at local or online auctions.

Search for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts abandoned property in your city

Some communities in Massachusetts have a department that attempts to reunite unclaimed property with its owner. This department can answer specific questions regarding lost or abandoned property.

I recommend: Aiken County has an unclaimed property program. You can access a list of people and businesses owed from the county website. The Evidence Unit for the Weymouth Police Department holds unclaimed property that it sells at periodic auctions.

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• •  Unclaimed property in Massachusetts that the owner deliberately hides or conceals may be a treasure trove instead of mislaid property. The property must remain concealed long enough for the owner to be dead or undiscoverable. A treasure trove may belong to the finder or the property owner.

Unclaimed property in Massachusetts laws and regulations are partially derived from the common law of property. They generally define unclaimed property as property which has left the original owner’s possession without directly entering the possession of another party.

MA abandoned property and unclaimed property laws that are relevant to a particular case depend heavily on the circumstances under which the unclaimed property is found. Unclaimed property may generally be grouped into the following categories:

1. Lost property is found in a location where the owner did not intend to leave it and is not likely to find it. The finder of unclaimed property in MA is entitled to possession against everyone but the true owner. One exception to this rule occurs when a trespasser finds lost property while on private land.
2. Mislaid property is found in a location where the owner did intend to leave it and forgot to pick it up. Mislaid property must be returned to the owner.
3. Abandoned property of Massachusetts is found where the owner intended to leave it. However, the condition of the property is such that it is unlikely that the true owner intends to reclaim it. Abandoned property belongs to the finder.
   

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Study Massachusetts unclaimed property law that relates to owners

Laws on unclaimed property commonly determine when unclaimed property must be returned to the owner. Unclaimed property laws and regulations represent a valuable resource for owners who wish to locate their MA lost property. The Massachusetts Department of the Treasury is in charge of locating unclaimed property for an individual.

I recommend: The Town of Weymouth provides laws for persons who wish to regain ownership of unclaimed property being held by the evidence unit. The Boston Better Business Bureau describes the effort that must be made to return unclaimed property to its owner under the Massachusetts Unclaimed Property Act.

Review the laws that are specific to holders of state of Massachusetts unclaimed property

These laws most commonly affect financial institutions that have inactive or dormant accounts. They can also determine when the holder becomes the owner of the unclaimed property.

I recommend: The Brookline Police Department provides rules on when a holder takes ownership of unclaimed property. Feeley & Driscoll provides a discussion on the laws that affect a holder of unclaimed property in Massachusetts.

Examine state of MA unclaimed property law that is specific to finders

Unclaimed property laws for finders may regulate fees that the finder may charge the owner for delivering, locating or recovering the unclaimed property. These laws may also determine when found property reverts to the finder.

I recommend: The Massachusetts Abandoned Property Division provides the laws regarding heir finders for unclaimed property. The Forum for Massachusetts Law discusses the laws regarding landlords who find abandoned property in an apartment.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The Uniform Unclaimed Property Act is a key piece of federal legislation that affects abandoned property in MA. The Act seeks to address the problems of unclaimed property that arise from its origins in English common law. The National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws first drafted the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act in 1981 and last revised it in 1995.

Unclaimed property in Massachusetts basics include the fact that a financial asset that has been abandoned for a certain amount of time may be considered unclaimed property. Businesses, such as financial institutions, may hold unclaimed property for a specified period of time before turning it over to the state of Massachusetts. The period of time that a business may retain this property is known as the abandonment period.

The state must attempt to locate the owners of MA lost property. These methods are specified by law and typically include mailing letters to the last known address of the owner and taking out advertisements in local newspapers. There are generally three types of information sources on unclaimed property in Massachusetts:

1. Government websites. These sources of Massachusetts abandoned property have official information on recovering unclaimed property in Massachusetts.
2. Commercial websites. These sources may be commercial sites that sell unclaimed property services and also provide a summary of Massachusetts unclaimed property.
3. Websites of local governments. Counties in Massachusetts may attempt to locate the owners of unclaimed property on their own before handing it over to the state.
   

Action Steps
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Find state agencies that deal with unclaimed property in MA

The state of Massachusetts administrates unclaimed property that it receives from businesses and government entities throughout the state. Massachusetts also has specific laws that regulate unclaimed property.

I recommend: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of State Treasurer offers a FAQ with basic information on unclaimed property in Massachusetts. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides the legal definitions of terms that relate to abandoned property in Massachusetts.

Learn about MA abandoned property from private sources

There are many businesses that provide searches of unclaimed property in Massachusetts. While these companies may charge a fee for these services, they often provide free information about unclaimed property in Massachusetts.

I recommend: The Better Business Bureau in Massachusetts offers basic information on recovering unclaimed property in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Bankers Association offers tips for avoiding Internet scams involving unclaimed property.

Look for state of abandoned property in MA in local jurisdictions

Universities, cities and counties frequently hold unclaimed property temporarily. The property will eventually be turned over to the state, reclaimed, auctioned off or otherwise disposed of.

I recommend: The Wareham Police Department provides its policy for auctioning off unclaimed property in accordance with Massachusetts law. The City of Newton maintains an unclaimed property list and other information on unclaimed property in Massachusetts.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A treasure trove is a specific type of Massachusetts abandon property in which currency is intentionally hidden by the owner. In order to be a treasure trove, the property must have been hidden sufficiently long ago that the owner is assumed to be dead or cannot be located. American common law generally holds that a treasure trove belongs to the finder.