What is considered abandoned property and when is it escheated?
Abandoned property is an asset or something of value, that the owner has not indicated an interest in, or awareness of, for a specified period of time. In the securities industry, abandoned property includes stock holdings and dividend checks. Property that is inactive can eventually be considered as abandoned or unclaimed under the laws of the state of residence of the owner. Depending on your state of residence, property may be considered abandoned from 3 to 7 years after the date of last contact. Contact consists of written correspondence, the sale or purchase of shares, or the negotiation of dividend checks. After the applicable period of inactivity is reached, the property is considered abandoned. Property that is considered abandoned, and has met specific criteria established by state laws, will eventually be transferred to the state. If you have questions concerning your stock certificates or escheated property, please contact our transfer agent at (800) 524-4458, by email at sh
