Find Unclaimed Money in Franklin County
Unclaimed money for Franklin County residents is managed by the Alabama State Treasury. The probate court in Russellville provides estate documents for heir claims.
Franklin County Quick Facts
How to Search for Unclaimed Money
Alabama holds more than $1.3 billion in unclaimed property. The State Treasury keeps it all until someone claims it. Franklin County residents can search the same database as everyone else in the state. Part of that money could belong to you.
There is no charge to search. The state pays for the program. They want to return money to its rightful owners. You can search from home on any device with internet access.
How to search:
- Visit alabama.findyourunclaimedproperty.com
- Enter your first and last name
- Add Russellville or your town to narrow results
- Review any matches that come up
- Start a claim for property that belongs to you
Check under all names you have used. Maiden names matter. So do old married names and nicknames. The database may list you under a name from years ago. Also search for family members who have died. Heirs can claim property from deceased relatives with proper documentation.
Under Code of Alabama Section 35-12-93, finder fees are capped at 10%. But you can file for free directly with the state. No need to pay anyone.
Franklin County Probate Court
The probate court handles estate matters for Franklin County. This includes wills, guardianships, and administration of estates. The court provides documents to support heir claims for unclaimed property. It does not handle money claims directly. Those go to the state.
The probate office sits in the Russellville courthouse. Staff there can help you understand what documents you need. The probate judge also handles marriage licenses and some property filings.
| Office | Franklin County Probate Court 410 North Jackson Avenue Russellville, AL 35653 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (256) 332-8811 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Probate Judge | Raye Worthy |
Franklin County is part of the 34th Judicial Circuit. The circuit handles court matters beyond probate. This includes civil and criminal cases that go beyond probate jurisdiction.
Getting Estate Documents for Heir Claims
When you claim money for someone who died, you need proof. The state wants to see that the person passed away and that you have a right to their property. The probate court provides most of these documents.
Documents you may need:
- Certified death certificate
- Letters of administration or letters testamentary
- Copy of the will
- Birth certificate proving relationship
- Marriage certificate for surviving spouse
The court charges fees for copies. Certified copies cost more than regular ones. Call ahead to check current prices. Some older records take time to pull from storage.
Request documents in person or by mail. For in-person visits, bring photo ID. Mail requests need a written letter explaining what you want, payment for fees, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Online Records Access
Franklin County has limited online access to records. The county does not have a full online records portal. For detailed searches, you will likely need to contact the probate office directly.
Online resources:
- State Unclaimed Property - Search for lost money
- Alacourt ACCESS - Statewide court records
The state portal is the best way to search for unclaimed money. It covers all of Alabama and costs nothing. Alacourt provides court records statewide but charges subscription fees.
Types of Unclaimed Property
Unclaimed property comes from many sources. When businesses cannot locate account holders, they turn funds over to the state. The state then works to find the rightful owners.
Common types of unclaimed money:
- Dormant bank accounts
- Uncashed paychecks
- Insurance benefits
- Utility deposits
- Stock dividends
- Safe deposit box contents
- Refund checks
Franklin County has seen growth from poultry processing and other industries. Workers come from across the region and sometimes from other countries. When workers move on, they sometimes leave behind accounts or final paychecks. The poultry companies report unclaimed wages to the state when they cannot find former employees.
About Franklin County
Franklin County sits in northwest Alabama near the Shoals region. About 32,000 people live here. The county formed in 1818 and was named for Benjamin Franklin.
Russellville serves as the county seat. The city has about 10,000 residents and is growing. The poultry industry drives much of the local economy. Tyson Foods has major operations in the area. Other manufacturing and services round out the job market.
The county has become more diverse in recent decades. Hispanic workers came for jobs in the poultry plants. This population growth brings new residents who may have accounts in multiple places. When people move frequently for work, they can leave behind dormant accounts that become unclaimed property.
Contact the State Treasury
Questions about unclaimed property go to the Alabama State Treasury. The Unclaimed Property Division handles searches and claims statewide. Franklin County residents contact this same office.
| Office | Alabama State Treasury, Unclaimed Property Division |
|---|---|
| Address | RSA Union Building 100 North Union Street, Suite 636 Montgomery, AL 36104 |
| Toll-Free | (888) 844-8400 |
| Local | (334) 242-9614 |
| unclaimed@treasury.alabama.gov |
Cities in Franklin County
Franklin County has several communities. All residents use the same state portal to search for unclaimed money. No cities in Franklin County have populations over 50,000.
Communities include Russellville, Phil Campbell, Red Bay, Hodges, and Vina. Russellville is the largest with about 10,000 residents.
Nearby Counties
Have ties to areas around Franklin County? Search these neighboring counties for unclaimed property. Your money may be linked to an old address in one of these places.