In January 2025, Florida returned more than $33 million in unclaimed property to residents, according to an announcement made by Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis. This comes as part of the state’s ongoing efforts to reconnect Floridians with financial assets that were once lost, forgotten, or left inactive for extended periods.
The return of unclaimed property is a crucial service provided by the state of Florida, and it affects a large number of residents. CFO Patronis, who has been in office since 2017, shared that since he took office, more than $2.7 billion in unclaimed property has been successfully returned to Floridians. This incredible figure shows the significant efforts being made to ensure that residents get back the money that is rightfully theirs.
Unclaimed property can be defined as financial assets that are either unknown, lost, or abandoned. These assets could include a variety of financial instruments that were not actively claimed by their owners. Some of the most common types of unclaimed property include dormant bank accounts, unclaimed insurance proceeds, stocks, dividends, uncashed checks, credit balances, deposits, and refunds.
When owners of these financial assets fail to claim them, they are handed over to the state for safekeeping. These funds are held by the state until the rightful owner comes forward to reclaim them.
CFO Patronis pointed out that Orlando, one of the state’s largest cities, ranked sixth for the most unclaimed property returned in January 2025. This data shows that residents in the Orlando region are benefiting from the state’s efforts to return lost or forgotten funds. The CFO’s office works with various agencies across Florida to ensure that every unclaimed asset is properly handled and made available for claim.
An important point that Patronis raised during his announcement is that an estimated one in five Floridians has unclaimed property waiting for them. This statistic emphasizes how common it is for individuals to unknowingly have unclaimed funds.
Many people may have forgotten about an old bank account, an uncashed check, or a long-forgotten insurance policy that could be collecting dust. It is estimated that billions of dollars in unclaimed property remain unclaimed by residents every year.
Patronis’ office has made it a priority to reach out to residents and inform them about the availability of unclaimed property. To further promote awareness, the state has set up a dedicated online portal where residents can search for and claim their unclaimed funds.
The CFO encourages all Floridians to take a few minutes to check if they have any unclaimed property waiting for them. The process is simple and free, making it easy for residents to take action and recover what is rightfully theirs.
Patronis’ announcement also reminds Florida residents that the state is a custodian of unclaimed property. When assets are handed over to the state, they are not lost forever. Instead, they are held in trust, and the state works hard to ensure that they are returned to the rightful owner as soon as they come forward to claim them. The state makes every effort to keep records accurate and up-to-date to ensure that claims can be processed quickly and efficiently.
The process of reclaiming unclaimed property is designed to be simple and accessible. Floridians can visit the state’s unclaimed property website, where they can search for their names or the names of family members to check if they have any unclaimed assets. The website is user-friendly, and it provides easy-to-follow instructions for filing a claim. If a claim is approved, the state will send the funds directly to the claimant’s address.
In addition to returning unclaimed property to residents, the state also works to educate the public about the importance of keeping track of their financial assets. By encouraging people to stay organized and aware of their accounts, the state hopes to reduce the number of unclaimed properties in the future. The state’s efforts to reunite residents with their unclaimed property serve as a reminder of how important it is to keep track of your finances and make sure all accounts and assets are actively managed.
It is important to note that unclaimed property laws vary by state, and each state has different regulations for holding and returning lost or abandoned assets. However, Florida’s unclaimed property program is one of the largest and most successful in the country. The state has returned billions of dollars to its residents over the years, and the process continues to improve as more people become aware of the available resources to recover their funds.
CFO Patronis also emphasized that unclaimed property is not just about money—it’s about returning what is rightfully owned by individuals. This service is especially important for people who may not even be aware that they have assets waiting for them.
Many people are unaware of the unclaimed property that may exist in their names. The funds could be the result of a forgotten bank account, a refund check that was never cashed, or a small stock dividend that was never claimed.
Given the scale of unclaimed property in Florida, it is critical that residents take advantage of the opportunity to check for any lost assets. Florida is actively working to make sure that residents do not miss out on the funds that belong to them. Whether you live in Miami, Tampa, or a small town, there’s a chance that you may have unclaimed property waiting for you.
As Patronis urges, “Don’t delay—claim it!” If you think you may have unclaimed property in Florida, don’t wait any longer to check. The process is free, easy, and quick, and it could be the key to recovering money or assets that you’ve forgotten about.
With the return of over $33 million in unclaimed property in just one month, it’s clear that Floridians are benefitting from the state’s efforts to reunite residents with their lost financial assets. Whether it’s a small refund check or a dormant bank account, the state is working hard to ensure that the rightful owners get back what they are owed.
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