Lamar County Unclaimed Money

Unclaimed money for Lamar County residents goes through the Alabama State Treasury. The probate court in Vernon handles estate documents needed for heir claims.

How to Search for Unclaimed Money

Alabama holds more than $1.3 billion in unclaimed property. The State Treasury manages all of it until owners claim it. Lamar County residents use the same search system as everyone else in the state. Some of that money could be yours.

The search is free. No fees, no subscriptions needed. The state pays for the program and wants to return money to rightful owners. You can search from any computer or phone.

Steps to search:

• Go to alabama.findyourunclaimedproperty.com
• Enter your first and last name
• Add Vernon to narrow results
• Review any matches
• Start a claim for your property

Try all names you have used over the years. Maiden names, former married names, and nicknames all matter. The database might list you under an old name. Also search for deceased family members. Heirs can claim property from relatives who passed away.

Skip the finder services. Under Code of Alabama Section 35-12-93, they can only charge 10% maximum. File directly with the state and pay nothing.

Lamar County Probate Court

The probate court handles estate matters in Lamar County. This includes wills, guardianships, and estate administration. The court provides documents for heir claims on unclaimed property. Money claims go through the state treasury, not the local court.

The probate office sits in Vernon at the county courthouse. Staff can explain what documents you need and help you get copies. The probate judge also handles marriage licenses and some property filings.

Lamar County is part of the 24th Judicial Circuit along with Fayette and Pickens counties. The circuit handles court matters beyond probate jurisdiction. The three counties share judges and resources for circuit-level cases.

Getting Estate Documents for Heir Claims

Claiming money for a deceased relative requires documentation. The state needs proof of death and proof of your right to the property. The probate court can provide most of these documents.

Documents commonly needed:

• Certified death certificate
• Letters of administration or testamentary
• Copy of the will if one exists
• Birth certificate proving relationship
• Marriage certificate for surviving spouse

Fees apply for copies. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Call the office to check current prices. Older records may take time to locate.

Get documents in person or by mail. Bring photo ID for in-person visits. Mail requests should include a letter with details, payment for fees, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Online Records Access

Lamar County has a basic website with office information. For detailed record searches, you may need to contact the probate office directly by phone or in person.

Online resources:

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

The state portal is the best way to search for lost money. It covers all of Alabama and is free. Alacourt offers broader court record access but charges subscription fees.

Types of Unclaimed Property

Unclaimed property comes from many sources. When businesses cannot find account holders, they turn funds over to the state. The state then tries to locate the rightful owners.

Common types:

• Dormant bank accounts
• Uncashed paychecks
• Insurance benefits
• Utility deposits
• Stock dividends
• Safe deposit box contents
• Refund checks

Lamar County has a rural economy based on timber, some manufacturing, and services. Families often have roots going back generations. When older residents pass away, their accounts can go unclaimed if heirs do not know about them. Anyone with family ties to Lamar County should check the state database.

About Lamar County

Lamar County sits in northwest Alabama along the Mississippi border. About 13,500 people live here. The county was created in 1867 and named for Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar, a Mississippi politician and later U.S. Supreme Court justice.

Vernon serves as the county seat. The town has about 2,000 residents. The county was originally named Jones County but was renamed after the Civil War. Most of the population lives in rural areas outside of town.

The local economy relies on timber, small manufacturing, and services. Many residents commute to Tuscaloosa or the Shoals area for work. Population has declined slowly as young people move to cities. This out-migration creates unclaimed property when accounts are left behind.

Contact the State Treasury

Questions about unclaimed money go to the Alabama State Treasury. Their Unclaimed Property Division handles all searches and claims statewide. Lamar County residents use this same office.

Cities in Lamar County

Lamar County has a few small towns. All residents use the same state portal to search for unclaimed money. No cities in Lamar County have populations over 50,000.

Communities include Vernon, Sulligent, Millport, Kennedy, and Detroit. Vernon is the county seat but Sulligent is the largest town.

Nearby Counties

Have ties to areas around Lamar County? Check these neighboring counties for unclaimed property. Search under all addresses where you have lived.