Lowndes County Unclaimed Money
Unclaimed money in Lowndes County is held by the Alabama State Treasury. The probate court in Hayneville provides estate documents for heir claims.
Lowndes County Quick Facts
How to Search for Unclaimed Money
The state of Alabama holds over $1.3 billion in unclaimed property. All of it waits at the State Treasury for owners to claim it. Lowndes County residents search the same database as everyone in Alabama. Part of that money could belong to you.
Searching is free. No fees at all. The state wants to return money to rightful owners. You can search from any device with internet access.
How to search:
- Visit alabama.findyourunclaimedproperty.com
- Type in your first and last name
- Add Hayneville to narrow results
- Look at any matches
- File a claim for your property
Try all names you have used. Maiden names, former married names, and nicknames count. Check for deceased relatives too. Heirs can claim money from family members who passed away with the right documents.
Finder services charge fees but are not needed. Code of Alabama Section 35-12-93 caps their fees at 10%. Save that money and file directly for free.
Lowndes County Probate Court
The probate court handles estate matters for Lowndes County. This includes wills, guardianships, and administration of estates. The court provides documents for heir claims on unclaimed property. Money claims go through the state treasury, not the local court.
The probate office is in Hayneville at the county courthouse. Staff can help you understand what documents you need. The probate judge also handles marriage licenses and some property records.
| Office | Lowndes County Probate Court 1 Washington Street Hayneville, AL 36040 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 548-2331 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Probate Judge | John Hulett |
Lowndes County is part of the 2nd Judicial Circuit along with Butler, Crenshaw, and Montgomery counties. Circuit court handles matters beyond probate jurisdiction. The counties share judges for circuit-level cases.
Getting Estate Documents for Heir Claims
When you claim money for a deceased relative, the state requires proof. You need documentation showing the death and your right to the property. The probate court provides most of these documents.
Documents you may need:
- Certified death certificate
- Letters of administration or testamentary
- Copy of the will
- Birth certificate proving relationship
- Marriage certificate if spouse
Fees apply for copies. Certified documents cost more than plain ones. Call ahead to check 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
Lowndes County has limited online services. For detailed record searches, you will likely need to contact the probate office directly by phone or in person.
Online resources:
- State Unclaimed Property - Search for lost money
- Alacourt ACCESS - Statewide court records
The state unclaimed property portal is the best tool for finding lost money. It covers all of Alabama and is free. Alacourt provides court records statewide but charges subscription fees.
Types of Unclaimed Property
Unclaimed property comes from many sources. When businesses cannot find account holders, they report the funds to the state. The state then works to locate rightful owners.
Common types:
- Dormant bank accounts
- Uncashed paychecks
- Insurance benefits
- Utility deposits
- Stock dividends
- Safe deposit box contents
- Refund checks
Lowndes County has seen significant population decline over the decades. Many people moved away for jobs and opportunities. When they left, some accounts got forgotten. Families of former Lowndes County residents should check the state database for money tied to old addresses here.
About Lowndes County
Lowndes County sits in south-central Alabama in the Black Belt region. About 9,600 people live here. The county was created in 1830 and named for William Lowndes, a South Carolina congressman.
Hayneville serves as the county seat. The small town has about 900 residents. The county played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement. Jonathan Daniels, a civil rights worker, was killed here in 1965. The incident helped advance the Voting Rights Act.
The local economy includes some agriculture and government services. Many residents commute to Montgomery for work. Population has declined over the years as people moved to cities. This out-migration creates unclaimed property when accounts are left behind.
Contact the State Treasury
Have questions about unclaimed property? Contact the Alabama State Treasury. Their Unclaimed Property Division handles all searches and claims. Lowndes County residents use 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 Lowndes County
Lowndes County has a few small communities. All residents use the same state portal to search for unclaimed money. No cities in Lowndes County have populations over 50,000.
Communities include Hayneville, Fort Deposit, Mosses, and White Hall. Fort Deposit is the largest at about 1,200 people.
Nearby Counties
Have ties to areas around Lowndes County? Check these neighboring counties for unclaimed property. Search under all addresses where you have lived.