Fayette County, Kentucky, September 11, 2025
News Summary
Kentucky State Treasurer Mark Metcalf announced that Fayette County residents are owed more than $40 million in unclaimed assets. These financial assets have been inactive for three years or more and include various forms such as dormant bank accounts and insurance policies. Residents can search for their unclaimed property on the Treasury’s online database. Metcalf emphasizes the importance of returning these funds to benefit the community. Jefferson County has an even larger amount of unclaimed assets totaling nearly $120 million, highlighting the need for awareness and action.
Lexington, Kentucky – Kentucky State Treasurer Mark Metcalf has announced that Fayette County residents have a total of $40,150,198.19 in unclaimed assets held by the state’s Treasury. This significant amount reflects financial assets left inactive or unclaimed by their owners, typically for three years or more.
The term unclaimed property refers to various types of financial assets that have remained dormant, including but not limited to dormant bank accounts, insurance policies, utility deposits, stocks and bonds, and contents from safe deposit boxes. After three years of inactivity, these assets are transferred to the Treasury for safekeeping until they are claimed by their rightful owners.
Residents of Fayette County can search for their unclaimed property using the Treasury’s online database at www.treasury.ky.gov. This system is designed to make it easier for individuals to see if they have any funds waiting to be returned to them.
In addition to the announcement regarding Fayette County, Treasurer Metcalf highlighted that Jefferson County holds an even more substantial amount of unclaimed assets, totaling nearly $120 million, specifically $119,791,794.33. The Treasurer underscored the importance of returning these funds to the community to benefit families, businesses, and individuals throughout the state.
Since taking office, Treasurer Metcalf’s administration has successfully returned a total of $65 million to Kentuckians claiming their unclaimed property and funds. In his first year alone, the Treasury’s Division of Unclaimed Property processed a record return of $34,048,369.20 to taxpayers. Additionally, the Treasury has reissued $2,840,799.54 worth of escheated checks, which are state-issued payments that were never cashed.
The return of unclaimed property is carried out free of charge for the owners by the Office of the State Treasurer. Kentucky law requires companies to notify potential owners of unclaimed property before reporting it to the Treasury, ensuring that individuals have an opportunity to claim what is rightfully theirs.
For those who may have moved out of Kentucky or are searching for unclaimed assets anywhere in the United States, individuals can also check for unclaimed funds through missingmoney.com.
Understanding Unclaimed Property
To help clarify the concept of unclaimed property and its implications for residents, it is worth noting that various forms of financial assets could fall under this category. It includes, but is not limited to,:
- Dormant bank accounts
- Unclaimed insurance policies
- Refundable utility deposits
- Dividends from stocks or bonds
- Contents of abandoned safe deposit boxes
Overall Benefits of reclaiming Unclaimed Property
Reclaiming unclaimed assets not only aids individuals and families but also stimulates state economies by redistributing financial resources. The return process fosters community and economic engagement, presenting an opportunity for families to recover funds that can aid in various aspects of their lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is unclaimed property?
Unclaimed property refers to financial assets that have been left inactive or unclaimed by their owners for an extended period, usually three or more years.
How can residents identify unclaimed property owed to them?
Residents can look for unclaimed property owed to them through the Kentucky Treasury’s online database available at www.treasury.ky.gov.
Is there a fee to claim unclaimed property in Kentucky?
No, the return of unclaimed property is processed free of charge for the owners.
Can individuals check for unclaimed property outside of Kentucky?
Yes, individuals can check for unclaimed assets beyond Kentucky by visiting missingmoney.com.
Key Features of Unclaimed Property
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Total Unclaimed Assets in Fayette County | $40,150,198.19 |
| Unclaimed Property Duration | Typically three years of inactivity |
| Examples of Unclaimed Property | Dormant bank accounts, unclaimed insurance policies, utility deposits, stocks, bonds, safe deposit box contents |
| Claim Process Fee | No charge |
| Checking for Unclaimed Property | www.treasury.ky.gov |
| Other Resources | missingmoney.com for out-of-state checks |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- WKYT: KY Treasury Dept Holding Over $40 Million Unclaimed Property for Fayette Co Residents
- LEX18: More Than $34M Returned to Kentucky Taxpayers Through Treasury Report
- Fox 56 News: Record Shattering $34M Returned – How to Check for Unclaimed Property Money in Kentucky
- Spectrum News 1: Unclaimed Property Updates
- North Jersey: ClaimNotify.org Launches to Help Californians Reclaim Millions in Unclaimed Assets
- Wikipedia: Unclaimed Property
- Google Search: Unclaimed Property Kentucky
- Google Scholar: Unclaimed Property
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Unclaimed Property
- Google News: Unclaimed Property
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexingtonKY.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
