How Florida’s Unclaimed Property Process Works (And Why Claims Get Delayed or Denied)

Quick Summary: Florida’s unclaimed property process is designed to reunite people and estates with lost or abandoned funds—but many claims get delayed or denied due to missing documentation, probate issues, identity verification problems, or incorrect claimant information. Working with a Florida attorney who understands the system can prevent these delays and help claims get approved faster.

Understanding Florida’s Unclaimed Property System

 

Florida holds over $2 billion in unclaimed property, including dormant bank accounts, insurance proceeds, refunds, stock accounts, utility deposits, and uncashed checks. When a business or financial institution cannot reach the rightful owner, the funds are sent to the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS), where they remain available for claim— forever.

The challenge? The state must be absolutely certain that the claimant is the correct person or legal representative—and that’s where the process often slows down.

Why Florida Unclaimed Property Claims Are Delayed or Denied

 

In our experience helping individuals, businesses, and estates recover funds, the most common issues include:

• Missing documentation(IDs, proof of address, corporate documents, probate documents)
• Name variations or mismatches —such as maiden names or businesses that no longer exist
• Estate-related funds where probate or succession documents are not included
• Incorrect claimant designation —for example, filing individually when the funds belong to an estate or trust
• DFS requests for additional verification, which pause the claim until resolved
  
  

Because the process is technical and document-heavy, many people file a claim only to wait months for correspondence, corrections, or rejections.

How De Paz Law Helps as a Florida Registered Agent

 

As a Florida unclaimed property attorney and registered agent, De Paz Law has direct access to the state office handling these claims. This allows us to:

 

• Confirm the validity of the claim before filing
• Prepare the correct legal documents (including probate filings when required)
• Respond quickly to DFS document requests
• Resolve identity, business authority, or estate authority issues
• Ensure the claim is filed under the proper legal authority (estate, trust, business, or individual)
  
  

This reduces delays significantly and prevents common denial reasons.

Required Documentation for Florida Claims

 

The exact documents depend on the type of property and claimant, but typically include:

For Individuals:

 

• Valid government-issued ID
• Proof of address connected to the reported property
• Name verification documents (marriage certificates, name change orders, etc.)
  
  

For Businesses:

 

• Articles of incorporation or organization
• Proof of authority for the person signing the claim
• Documentation showing the business name matches the claimant
  
  

For Estates:

 

• Death certificate
• Letters of administration or summary administration order
• Will or trust documents (if applicable)
• Proof of beneficiary or personal representative authority
  
  

Many unclaimed property claims involving deceased owners cannot be processed without a probate order. Learn more about the probate process here: Florida Probate.

Estate-Related Claims: When Probate is Required

 

When the property owner has passed away, Florida requires the claimant to prove legal authority to collect the funds. This often means:

 

• Opening a Florida probate case (formal or summary administration)
• Submitting a court order giving someone authority to collect assets
• Providing documentation showing beneficiaries are entitled to the funds
  
  

If the required probate documents do not exist—or are incomplete—DFS will pause or deny the claim until the estate is properly handled. De Paz Law assists with both probate and unclaimed property matters to ensure the process moves forward efficiently.

Timeline: How Long Does It Take to Recover Unclaimed Property?

 

Processing times vary depending on the complexity of the claim:

 

• Simple individual claims: 30–90 days
• Business claims: 60–120 days
• Estate claims requiring probate: 3–6 months (or longer for formal probate)
  
  

Incomplete or incorrect claims can extend these timelines substantially, which is why it is helpful to file correctly the first time.

Need Help Claiming Unclaimed Property in Florida?

 

De Paz Law handles the entire process—verification, documentation, probate (if needed), and coordination with the Florida Department of Financial Services. Whether the funds belong to you, a loved one, a business, or an estate, we make sure your claim is properly prepared and submitted.

Learn more about how we can help: Florida Unclaimed Property Attorney

Ready to recover what’s yours? Contact us today to schedule a consultation.