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Unclaimed Property in Louisiana Laws and Regulations

Learn how to find and return property with LA unclaimed property laws and regulations

By Emmet McMahan
Unclaimed property in Louisiana laws and regulations are based partially on the common law of property. This generally means that unclaimed property is property which has left the rightful owner’s possession without directly entering another owner’s possession.

The disposition of Louisiana state unclaimed property depends on the specific circumstances under which it is found. There are three types of unclaimed property:
  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 state of Louisiana unclaimed property 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 simply forgot to pick it up. Mislaid property must be returned to the owner.
  3. Abandoned property is found in a place 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.

 

Learn about the laws regarding the owners of Louisiana unclaimed property

Laws on unclaimed property are frequently used to determine the circumstances under which property must be returned to the owner. Unclaimed property laws and regulations also are a resource for owners who wish to locate their unclaimed property. Contact the Louisiana Department of the Treasury to locate your own property.
Try: Title 9, Chapter 161 of the Revised Statutes in Louisiana from the Louisiana State Legislature provides the specific laws on the state's obligation to locate unclaimed property owners. MissingMoney.com allows owners to search for unclaimed property in Louisiana by first name, last name and state.

Examine laws on holders of unclaimed property of Louisiana

Unclaimed property laws describe the requirements for holders of unclaimed property to return the property to the rightful owner. They can determine when ownership of the unclaimed property passes to the holder.
Try: Justia.com shows the laws in Louisiana which cover holders of unclaimed property in Louisiana. The Discover Network offers an overview of the reporting regulations for unclaimed property holders in Louisiana.

Review Louisiana abandoned property law for finders

Unclaimed property laws for finders address procedures for how finders charge owners for locating, delivering, recovering or assisting in the recovery of their unclaimed property. Unclaimed property laws for finders may also cover the rights of the state to recover compensation for unclaimed property.
Try: The Louisiana Department of the Treasury provides an excerpt of the laws in Louisiana that apply to finders of Louisiana treasury unclaimed property. The Louisiana Department of Revenue specifies that under Louisiana's unclaimed property law, the state does not charge a finder's fee for returning unclaimed property in Louisiana.

 

  • The Uniform Unclaimed Property Act is a key piece of federal legislation that affects unclaimed property for Louisiana. 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.

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