Last week, my husband and I were working on setting up our wills with an attorney here in Missoula, and I was amazed at how many different outcomes we had to think through…none of the outcomes being very pleasant to think about. Regardless, it got me thinking – what happens to properties, accounts, assets, etc. that are not directed in a will or estate? What if nobody knows about them or comes forward? It seems very possible that someone might not be aware of an account or life insurance policy, or something along those lines.
It turns out this is an issue. In fact, it is so much an issue that in Montana, the unclaimed property is close to $63 million, according to a Great Falls Tribune article last month:
I guess it is a good reminder to get things organized!! On the other hand, keep an eye on the annual publication of unclaimed property, or go to http://www.revenue.mt.gov/ and click on “unclaimed property” to search. You never know…