How to Collect Your Unclaimed Money in Kentucky Because You Could Be Sitting on a Goldmine and Not Know It

It wasn't that long ago when I got a Facebook message from a cousin of mine in Florida. She'd been searching there and in Kentucky for unclaimed property. What that means, in case you're unaware, is that there could be money owed to you, for whatever reasons, that you don't know anything about.

Unclaimed Property in Kentucky

She saw my name when searching the Kentucky State Treasury's unclaimed property site, so I looked into it. You can also visit missingmoney.com. It turns out that had $150 that was owed to me. On the Kentucky treasury site, I clicked the "Search for Unclaimed Property" tab. I entered my name and my town, and it showed me the name of a company and a bank. Each one owed me "$10 to $100." That's how it's phrased; they don't tell you the exact amount on the site.

On a hunch, I decided to search my dad's name. I was shown that he is owed two separate amounts from the same life insurance company. He passed away in 2005. One amount is as I showed you above. The other is for "over $100." It's very non-specific, but I'm assuming it's for security reasons.

How to Claim a Deceased Parent's Unclaimed Property

Now, here's the rub. I have my money, but there are hoops to jump through in order to collect what's owed to my dad. I had to prove to the state treasurer that he's my father, so I went to see the probate clerk at the Owensboro Judicial Center. In order to be named executor of Dad's estate, I needed his death certificate and had to file a petition with the District Court. After a review, a judge appointed me executor of Dad's will.

Claiming the money, however, will require my birth certificate proving I'm his offspring. Since I've recently learned the copy I have isn't acceptable because it's laminated, I will contact Frankfort and get one that will be deemed acceptable.

And there you have it. You just might have a lot of money sitting in vault (or something) in Frankfort. Now you know how to go about securing it.