It does not pay to search for Kansas unclaimed money as a finder.

That does not mean that you cannot live in Kansas and work as a finder, it just means that you should do your searches for other states.

For example, we are in New York, but because the laws limit us, we do not search for unclaimed money in New York but prefer to search lists of more favorable states.

Kansas does have unclaimed money laws, but they are basically useless.

That is because of KORA (Kansas Open Records Act).

Kansas does not have a list available for finders.  If you go to do a search on their site, you are met with this warning:

“As you may know, many states have adopted laws which open but limit access to public documents.  Our act is known as the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) K.S.A. 45-215 et seq.  Under the KORA and our civil code, lists of names and addresses obtained from public records cannot be used for the purpose of selling or offering for sale any property or service to the persons listed (i.e. commercial solicitation).  The civil code statute, K.S.A. 2006 Supp.  45-230, provides that we would be subject to civil penalties if we furnish such information to you, and you in turn use the information for commercial purposes.  K.S.A. 2005 Supp. 45-230 also provides that you are also subject to a civil penalty of up to $500 for each occurrence if you use this data to sell any product or service to the individuals listed in our database.

Then in big capital letters it says “!!!THERE ARE NO FEES OR COSTS LEVIED BY THE STATE OF KANSAS FOR THIS SERVICE NOR ARE THERE ANY FEES TO CLAIM PROPERTY!!!

Then, they mention one of the requirements of finders in Kansas- “Under the Unclaimed Property Act, no person can charge a finder’s fee within the first two years after the asset is reported to the Kansas State Treasurer’s Office.”

Finally, “In order for you to look up your name, you must agree with the above statements.  Please choose your response below after reading them.  Thank you”.

I guess Kansas is in no hurry to give the money back to its rightful owners.

Meanwhile, Kansas does have laws relating to unclaimed money finders, which is really contradictory.  How are you supposed to work as a finder searching for Kansas unclaimed money when there is no list supplied and you cannot use the website to search?

Even if someone came to you on their own, you would not able to use the website to look them up without being subject to a fine.

If you are interested in the laws in Kansas, the below information is taken from the   Kansas Unclaimed Property Act.

58-3968Chapter 58.–PERSONAL AND REAL PROPERTY  Part 6.–MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS  Article 39.–DISPOSITION OF UNCLAIMED PROPERTY ACT

58-3968.   Agreement to locate reported property.  (a) All agreements to pay compensation to recover or assist in the  recovery of property reported under K.S.A. 58-3950, and amendments  thereto, made within 24 months after the date payment or delivery is  made under K.S.A. 58-3952, and amendments thereto, are unenforceable.

(b)   All agreements to pay compensation to recover or  assist in the recovery of property reported under K.S.A. 58-3950, and  amendments thereto, made more than 24 months after the date payment or  delivery is made under K.S.A. 58-3952, and amendments thereto, are  unenforceable if the fee or compensation agreed upon is in excess of 15% of the value of the recoverable property. The administrator may require a third party seeking information concerning unclaimed property held  for an apparent owner to provide a copy of an agreement signed by the  claimant before releasing any information to the third party.

(c)   State warrants that may be issued in payment for and  redemption of recoverable property may be issued, in the discretion of  the administrator, directly to the rightful owners or, as fiduciary of  the estate of a deceased owner, to an heir or legatee, and not to a  named attorney in fact, agent, assignee or other person regardless of  written instructions to the contrary.       History:   L. 1994, ch. 8, § 35; L. 2000, ch. 125, § 9; Apr. 27.

They limit it to15%, but they may as well make it 150% if no one is going to search there anyway.

Like I said, if you want to be an unclaimed money finder in Kansas, that is fine, just search in other states.

Remember, you will be subject to the laws of those states, not the law in Kansas, so do like I do and give a big Bronx cheer to Kansas!

If you would like to learn more about becoming an Unclaimed Money Finder please click here

You can charge up to 20% as a Missouri unclaimed money finder.

Missouri is currently holding over $600 million in unclaimed money.

That means there is currently $120 million up for grabs!

There are certain rules that need to be followed in Missouri:

• No agreement to locate money for a fee is valid unless the agreement discloses the nature and value of the property, is in writing, and signed and acknowledged by the owner
• Any agreement to pay commission to recover money which has only been delivered to the treasurer within the past twelve months is unenforceable
• Any agreement to pay commission to recover money which has been held by the treasurer for more than twelve months but less than twenty-four months is limited to a 10% fee
• Any agreement to pay commission to recover money which has been held by the treasurer for more than twenty-four months but less than thirty-six months is limited to a 15% fee
• Any agreement to pay commission to recover money which as been held by the treasurer for more than thirty-six months is limited to a 20% fee
• Any person wishing to charge a fee to recover money on a claim must register with the State as a finder of unclaimed money
  
  Click here if you would like to read the complete “Missouri Revised Statutes, Chapter 47-Lost and Unclaimed Property Section 447.581”
  
  As I mentioned at the top of the page, Missouri is currently holding more than $600 million in unclaimed money.
  
  Last year $30 million was returned by the State to it’s rightful owners. That sounds like a lot of money, but compared to all of the unclaimed money being held in Missouri, only 5% was returned.
  
  There are more than 3.5 million owners. Obviously the State cannot return all of the money being held on their own, despite their best efforts. They need help.

Please click here if you are interested in becoming an unclaimed money finder in Missouri.

You can charge as much as you want as a New Hampshire unclaimed money finder.

However, like I always say, there is no reason to be greedy. There is plenty of money available to charge a reasonable fee. I recommend 10% with 20% being the maximum.

It is much easier to get an agreement signed with a more reasonable percentage than something like 50%. Put yourself in your clients shoes.

There are only a couple of rules you must follow as an unclaimed money finder in New Hampshire

The law falls under Chapter 471-C of the New Hampshire statutes titled CUSTODY AND ESCHEAT OF UNCLAIMED AND ABANDONED PROPERTY Section 471-C:39 471-C:39 Agreement to Locate, Deliver, or Recover Reported Property. – I. All agreements to pay compensation to locate, deliver, recover, or assist in the recovery of property reported under RSA 471-C:19, made within 24 months after the date payment or delivery is made under RSA 471-C:21, are unenforceable.

II. An agreement to pay compensation to recover or assist in the recovery of unclaimed property shall be valid only if the agreement is in writing and signed by the apparent owner, sets forth the nature and value of the property and the value of the apparent owner’s share after the fee or compensation has been deducted, and contains the following disclosure: “Each state maintains an office of abandoned property. Generally, if for a number of years an owner of property has not communicated in writing directly with the holder of the property and has not otherwise indicated an interest in the property, the property may be transferred to the office of abandoned property which will act as custodian of the property for the owner.”

III. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent an owner from asserting at any time that an agreement to locate property is based upon an excessive or unjust consideration.

So, the only rules are you cannot charge a fee for recovering unclaimed property if the money has not been held for at least twenty-four months, and you must state the nature and value of the property.

It’s pretty simple.

Click here for the complete New Hampshire Unclaimed Money Law

Also, just because you live in there, it doesn’t mean you can only search for unclaimed money in New Hampshire.

You can look for unclaimed money in any state you want to as long as you follow the laws of that state.

As I mention throughout the site, we are located in New York, but we don’t actively search in New York, unless requested, because New York State does not supply the dollar amounts on their list.

Instead we search in states where we know how much we’re going to get back.

Please click here if you are interested in becoming an unclaimed money finder. in New Hampshire.