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Frank J. Gliha |
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Geauga County Auditor |
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The Geauga County Auditor maintains a listing of the funds, which are considered to be
unclaimed and are unable to be disbursed to the party due to either a party’s failure
to cash the checks within the 90-day time frame or the lack of a valid address. The
county is required to maintain these funds per section 9.39 of the Ohio Revised Code.
The claim form for any unclaimed funds may be downloaded
here.
The data is an accurate representation of information currently maintained by the Geauga
County Auditor's Office as of
3/9/2010.
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About Unclaimed Funds
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The Geauga County Auditor maintains a listing of the funds, which are
considered to be unclaimed, and are unable to be disbursed to the party
due to either a party’s failure to cash the checks within the 90-day
time frame or the lack of a valid address. The county is required to
maintain these funds per section 9.39 of the Ohio Revised Code, which states:
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All public officials are liable for all public money received or collected
by them or by their subordinates under color of office. All money revived
or collected by a public official under color of office and not otherwise
paid out according to law shall be paid into the treasury of the public
office with which he is connected to the credit of a trust fund and shall
be retained there until claimed by its lawful owner. If not claimed within
a period of five years, the money shall revert to the general fund of the
public office.
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How do you claim funds?
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If you would like to search the online database for unclaimed funds
within Geauga County, go to the search form at the top of the page and
follow the instructions. The claim form may be downloaded
here. If you
find funds that belong to you or someone you know, you can print the
claim form, complete it and return it to us for processing, or, if you
are unable to print the form, you can submit the information on-line to
us and we will mail a claim form to you. The address for Geauga County
Auditor’s Office may be found at the top of the claim form. Please
Note: funds paid in to unclaimed funds by court order - such as
Sheriff's sale - require a court order to release the funds.
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Completing the Claim Form
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Please complete and sign the claim form in the presence of a notary
public. Return the completed form in its entirety with any necessary
documentation to the Geauga County Auditor’s Office, 231 Main Street,
Annex 1A, Chardon, Ohio, 44024.
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Documentation
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Necessary documentation includes but is not limited to: a clear photocopy
of a document with the original owners name on it, the original check(s)
if available, a Power of Attorney signed by the original owner or copies
of the death certificate and letter of authority naming the executor of
the estate. Possible items that meet the photocopy documentation
requirement are: driver’s license, State of Ohio ID card, or similar.
Please make sure that the photocopy is clear and legible.
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Processing of Claim
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Once we are in receipt of the completed form and have verified the
accuracy of the attached documentation, we will proceed with the processing
of the claim. (NOTE: The Geauga County Auditor’s Office has the right to
request additional information that may delay the processing of the claim.)
The claim usually is processed in approximately 7 – 14 days. The funds
will be issued to the Claimant and sent to the Claimant’s address unless
otherwise specified.
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1. What are some examples of the unclaimed funds held by the County Auditor?
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Funds held in the County Unclaimed Funds account are:
- Vendor Payments
- Child Support Payments
- Lost Heir Accounts
- Proceeds from Sheriff's Sale
- Restitution Payments
- Jury/Witness Fees
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2. What are some examples of proof of claim?
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A clear photocopy of a document with the original owner's name and
Social Security number on it, such as the Social Security card, driver's
license or State of Ohio ID REQUIRED FOR ALL CLAIMS (note: The Social
Security number will be held in the strictest confidence and used only
to establish rightful ownership of the unclaimed funds.) The original
check(s) IF AVAILABLE.
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3. If I am not the original owner, or the owner is deceased, how do I prove
the claim?
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First, you must show that the account belonged to the original owner
(see #2 proof of claim). Second, you must prove that you are the
rightful recipient of the funds, and you are legally entitled to
claim these funds for the owner, such as if the owner is incapacited
or deceased. If the owner is incapacitated, proper documentation from
the Court to show a guardianship, custodial, or Power of Attorney
relationship, and a court order, or permission from the guardian or
custodian is required.
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If the original owner is deceased, a copy of the death certificate and
letter of authority naming the executor of the estate is required. We
will not pay a claim based solely upon a will or death certificate. If
a paid, professional finder is claiming the funds, a Power of Attorney
signed by the executor is also required. (NOTE: The Geauga County Auditor's
Office reserves the right to contact the original payee directly to confirm
a Power of Attorney).
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4. Will I be intitled to interest?
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Interest is not paid on any account.
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5. Will I be charged a fee?
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The Geauga County Auditor's Office does not charge a fee to claim funds.
If you have contracted with a professional finder to claim you funds you
may be subject to pay a fee to them according to your contract.
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6. Where can I find a notary?
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A Notary Public can be found at your local bank, city and county
offices, police and sheriff's departments or most attorneys.
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7. How long will it take to get my funds?
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Once the claim form is received in our office, processing takes
approximately 7 - 14 business days.
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8. What is a paid, professional finder?
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A paid, professional finder is someone who is in the business of trying
to find the owners of unclaimed funds. You do not have to use a finder
to file a claim.
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9. If I use a paid, professional finder to claim my funds, where will the
check be mailed?
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The check is issued in the name of the paid, professional finder and
the owner of the funds. The check is then mailed to the paid,
professional finder. The Geauga County Auditor's office does not hire
paid, professional finders or any other third party to help locate the
owner of unclaimed fund.
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