Winston County Unclaimed Property

Unclaimed money in Winston County goes through the Alabama State Treasury. The probate court in Double Springs provides estate documents for heir claims.

How to Search for Unclaimed Money

All unclaimed property in Alabama goes to the State Treasury. This applies to Winston County residents just like everyone else. The state holds over $1.3 billion waiting for rightful owners. Your name might be on the list.

The search is free. Takes about two minutes. Go to the official state portal and enter your name. Check under maiden names and old addresses too. People find forgotten money all the time.

To search the state database:

• Visit alabama.findyourunclaimedproperty.com
• Enter your first and last name
• Add Double Springs or your city to narrow results
• Click on any matching records
• File a claim if you find your property

The state charges nothing to search or file claims. Third-party finder services exist but are never needed. Under Code of Alabama Section 35-12-93, finder fees are capped at 10%. Save that money and file directly for free.

Winston County Probate Court

The probate court helps with estate documents. These papers support heir claims for deceased relatives. The court handles wills, letters of administration, and death certificates. It does not process unclaimed money claims directly. That goes through the state.

Winston County has one probate office in Double Springs. The courthouse serves the local community. Staff can help you find estate records and get certified copies. Call ahead if you plan to visit.

Winston County is part of the 25th Judicial Circuit along with Fayette, Lamar, Marion, and Walker counties. The probate court handles estates, wills, guardianships, and marriages. For circuit court matters, contact the circuit clerk.

Getting Estate Documents for Heir Claims

Heirs need specific documents to claim money for deceased relatives. The state treasury requires proof of death and proof of relationship. County probate courts provide these papers. Without them, your claim will stall.

Documents you may need:

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

The probate court charges fees for copies. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Recording fees run about $3.00 per page in most Alabama counties. Call ahead to get current prices. Some documents take time to process. Start early if you need papers for an heir claim.

You can request documents in person or by mail. Bring valid ID when visiting. Mail requests should include what you need, your contact info, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Allow one to two weeks for processing.

Online Records Access

Winston County offers some online access to records. The county website provides office info and basic services. For detailed probate records, you may need to visit or call.

Online resources:

• Winston County Website - County information
• State Unclaimed Property - Search for money
• Alacourt ACCESS - Court records statewide

Alacourt provides access to circuit court records across Alabama. Subscription fees apply. For probate matters specifically, contact the Winston County office directly. They can explain what records are available.

Types of Unclaimed Property

Many kinds of assets end up as unclaimed property. Banks, employers, insurance companies, and utilities all report dormant accounts. These funds wait at the state treasury.

Common unclaimed property in Winston County:

• Old bank accounts from closed branches
• Final paychecks from jobs you left
• Insurance payouts and annuities
• Utility deposits from old addresses
• Stock dividends and mutual funds
• Safe deposit box contents
• Uncashed refund checks

Winston County's rural nature means many young people leave for work elsewhere. Former residents often leave money behind. Family members of deceased residents should check too. The state holds these funds forever.

About Winston County

Winston County sits in northwest Alabama. About 24,000 people live here. The county has a unique history. During the Civil War, it refused to support secession. Locals called it the Free State of Winston.

Double Springs serves as the county seat. The town has about 1,000 residents. Bankhead National Forest covers much of the county. Natural Bridge, Alabama's longest natural bridge, draws visitors. Lewis Smith Lake provides recreation.

The area remains largely rural. Timber and small manufacturing provide jobs. Many families have roots here going back generations. The independent spirit that marked the Civil War era continues today. Check for unclaimed property if your ancestors lived in Winston County.

Contact the State Treasury

Have questions about unclaimed money? The state treasury runs the program. Staff can help with searches and claims. Contact them directly for assistance.

Cities in Winston County

Winston County has several small towns. No cities here meet the 50,000 population threshold for a dedicated page. All residents use the same state unclaimed property search.

Towns in Winston County include Double Springs (county seat), Haleyville, Addison, Arley, and Lynn. For any of these areas, search the state database by name.

Nearby Counties

If you have ties to areas near Winston County, check these neighbors too. Unclaimed property follows where you lived, not where you live now.