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Unclaimed Property in Missouri Laws and Regulations

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

By Emmet McMahan
Unclaimed property in Missouri 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 unclaimed property in MO 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 Missouri 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. Missouri 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 unclaimed property in Missouri

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 are a resource for owners who wish to locate their unclaimed property. Contact the Missouri unclaimed property division of the State Treasurer to locate your own property.
Try: Chapter 13, Article 3 of the City of Nixa Code is a law that addresses the steps owners must make to recover their property from the police department. Cornell University Law School provides the rules of ethics that attorneys in Missouri must follow to return their clients' unclaimed property.

Examine laws on holders of unclaimed property for Missouri

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: The Missouri State Treasurer offers the holding requirements for financial institutions with unclaimed property. The Missouri General Assembly has specific laws for holders of unclaimed property in Missouri.

Review the laws on Missouri unclaimed properties 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 Missouri Attorney General provides rules that finders of unclaimed property in Missouri must follow. The City Ordinance for the City of St. Peters does not allow unclaimed property to be returned to the finder.

 

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