Escambia County Unclaimed Money

Unclaimed money claims in Escambia County go through the Alabama State Treasury. The probate court in Brewton handles estate documents for heir claims.

How to Search for Unclaimed Money

The Alabama State Treasury holds more than $1.3 billion in unclaimed property. This money comes from dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, and forgotten deposits. Escambia County residents can search the database just like everyone else in the state.

There is no fee to search. The state pays for the program and wants to return money to owners. You can search from home on your computer or phone. The process takes just a few minutes.

How to search:

• Go to alabama.findyourunclaimedproperty.com
• Type your first and last name
• Add Brewton or Atmore to narrow results
• Review any matches
• File a claim for your property

Search under all names you have used over the years. Maiden names, nicknames, and former married names can all appear in the database. Check for deceased relatives too. With the right documents, heirs can claim money that belonged to family members who passed away.

Third-party finders charge fees but are never required. Code of Alabama Section 35-12-93 caps those fees at 10%. You can skip them entirely by filing your own claim for free.

Escambia County Probate Court

The probate court in Escambia County handles estates, wills, and guardianships. The court provides documents that support heir claims for unclaimed property. It does not process the actual money claims. Those go directly to the state treasury in Montgomery.

The probate office sits in the Brewton courthouse. Staff can help you understand what documents you need and how to get them. The office also handles marriage licenses, mental health matters, and some property records.

Escambia County belongs to the 21st Judicial Circuit. The circuit handles court matters that go beyond probate. The county also has a branch courthouse in Atmore that handles some services for residents in that area.

Getting Estate Documents for Heir Claims

When you claim money for a deceased person, the state requires documentation. You need to prove the person died and that you have a legal right to their property. The probate court can provide most of what you need.

Documents often needed for heir claims:

• Certified death certificate
• Letters of administration or testamentary
• Copy of the will if there was one
• Birth certificate showing relationship
• Marriage certificate for spouses

The court charges fees for copies. Certified copies cost more. Call ahead to check current prices. Some older records may take extra time to locate, so plan ahead if you have a deadline.

Request documents in person at the Brewton courthouse or by mail. Bring valid photo ID for in-person visits. Mail requests need a written letter with details about what you need, payment for fees, and a return envelope with postage.

Online Records Access

Escambia County provides some online information about its offices and services. For detailed record searches, you may need to call or visit in person.

Online resources:

• Escambia County Government - Official county website
• State Unclaimed Property - Search for lost money
• Alacourt ACCESS - Statewide court records

The state unclaimed property portal is your best bet for finding lost money. It works on any device and is completely free. Alacourt offers court records statewide but requires a subscription.

Types of Unclaimed Property

Many kinds of assets become unclaimed property. When businesses cannot find account holders, they turn the money over to the state. The state then works to locate the rightful owners.

Common sources of unclaimed money:

• Bank accounts left dormant
• Paychecks that were never picked up
• Insurance benefits and annuities
• Utility deposits from old homes
• Stock dividends and investment accounts
• Items from safe deposit boxes
• Refund checks returned as undeliverable

Escambia County has a strong forestry and paper industry. Generations of families have worked in these mills. When workers retired, moved away, or passed on, they sometimes left behind benefits or accounts that went unclaimed. Former lumber and paper mill workers should check the database.

About Escambia County

Escambia County sits in southwest Alabama near the Florida border. About 36,500 people live here. The county was formed in 1868 and shares its name with Escambia County, Florida. The name comes from a Spanish colonial term.

Brewton serves as the county seat. The city has about 5,200 residents and was a major lumber town in the early 1900s. Atmore is the largest city in the county with about 10,000 people. The Poarch Band of Creek Indians has its headquarters near Atmore, and their Wind Creek Casino is a major regional employer and attraction.

The paper and forestry industries have long driven the local economy. T.R. Miller Mill Company has operated in Brewton since 1889. Many families have roots going back generations in the lumber business. This kind of stable, multi-generational workforce means there could be old accounts and benefits that were never claimed when workers retired or died.

Contact the State Treasury

The Alabama State Treasury handles all unclaimed property in the state. Their Unclaimed Property Division manages searches and claims. Escambia County residents contact this office for help.

Cities in Escambia County

Escambia County has several communities. All residents use the same state search portal for unclaimed money. No cities in Escambia County have populations over 50,000.

Communities include Brewton, Atmore, Flomaton, East Brewton, and Riverview. Atmore is the largest city. The Poarch Creek Indian Reservation sits near Atmore.

Nearby Counties

Have connections to areas around Escambia County? Search these neighboring counties for unclaimed property too. Money is tied to where you lived when accounts were opened.