A California relative died in 2011. Her unregistered will was in the safety deposit box. It was not a joint account. We had been out of contact. Her stepdaughter was the intended heir. After a period, the bank sent the box contents to the state. My husband believes the state would have taken the responsibility to execute the will and would have located the heir. Is that correct, or would we need to hire a probate lawyer? We hope the first is correct, as her financial situation may have changed due to end of life costs and there may be nothing to inherit. Thank you.
How to Find a Long Lost Bank Account or Safe Deposit Box
www.fdic.gov/resources/consumers/consumer-news/2020-12.html
The above from an online search. I haven't myself attempted this.
According to your reply below, the relative died with nothing really. If so, the Will would not be Probated if under a certain amount of money. In my State its under $20,000. It would be up to the Executor/Adminstrator to be honest and split what was there to the beneficiarys in the Will IMO.
I hadn't thought of that, but can see that the state may have found $50 to be the account balance and posted it as unclaimed property. It wouldn't matter what was in the will. Any investments elsewhere would be posted as well, I suppose. It must be difficult for all concerned to process the financial issues of someone who dies without an executor. I appreciate your answer, and it sounds like we need look no further.