Money from a relative who died
For money left by someone who died, search their name on each state's unclaimed property site, use the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator, and if you are a surviving spouse or child, ask Social Security about the $255 lump-sum payment within two years. Official searches are free.
Where to look
Your state unclaimed property office (heirs can claim)
Accounts, uncashed checks and insurance payouts of someone who has died often end up with the state. Heirs and executors can claim them.
How: Search the name in every state they lived in, then follow the state's heir claim steps. Find your state's official search.
Checked 27 September 2026 · Source: unclaimed.org
NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator
Finds life insurance policies of someone who has died.
How: Free. You need their death certificate. Insurers reply only if they find a policy.
Checked 27 September 2026 · Source: content.naic.org
Social Security lump-sum death payment
A one-time $255 payment to a surviving spouse or an eligible child.
How: Apply within two years of the death, online or on 1-800-772-1213.
Checked 27 September 2026
TreasuryDirect savings bond forms (bonds of someone who died)
Claim or cash paper savings bonds that belonged to someone who has died.
How: Free forms from TreasuryDirect. Some need a certified signature.
Checked 27 September 2026
Searching is free
Official searches are always free. Never pay an upfront fee or give bank or card details to "release" money. Finder companies exist and charge a share of what they find, so check with your state that one is registered before signing anything.
Quick answers
- Did my relative who died leave money I can claim?
- For money left by someone who died, search their name on each state's unclaimed property site, use the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator, and if you are a surviving spouse or child, ask Social Security about the $255 lump-sum payment within two years. Official searches are free.
- What is NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator?
- Finds life insurance policies of someone who has died. Free. You need their death certificate. Insurers reply only if they find a policy.
- What is Social Security lump-sum death payment?
- A one-time $255 payment to a surviving spouse or an eligible child. Apply within two years of the death, online or on 1-800-772-1213.
- What is TreasuryDirect savings bond forms (bonds of someone who died)?
- Claim or cash paper savings bonds that belonged to someone who has died. Free forms from TreasuryDirect. Some need a certified signature.
- Do I have to pay to search?
- Official searches are always free. Never pay an upfront fee or give bank or card details to "release" money. Finder companies exist and charge a share of what they find, so check with your state that one is registered before signing anything.
Sources
- https://unclaimed.org/
- https://unclaimed.org/claim-your-found-property/
- https://eapps.naic.org/life-policy-locator/
- https://content.naic.org/article/naic-life-insurance-policy-locator-tool-helps-match-consumers-more-16-billion-lost-and-unclaimed
- https://www.ssa.gov/personal-record/when-someone-dies/lump-sum-death-payment
- https://www.treasurydirect.gov/savings-bonds/forms/
Ask Find My Money yourself
Type what you are looking for, like an old 401(k) or a tax refund, and get the official place to check. Open Find My Money, free, no sign-up.
In Claude or any app that takes MCP connectors, add https://goodturn-mcp.pages.dev/findmymoney/mcp and ask: “Did my relative who died leave money I can claim?”
In the UK? See Money of someone who died (UK).