How Northstar Works

From first contact to final disbursement — a structured, documented process designed to get you paid.

THE PROCESS

What Happens After You Contact Us

Confidential Intake

You contact Northstar with a name, a situation, or a question. We conduct a no-cost preliminary review to determine whether recoverable assets exist and which recovery paths apply. Nothing is shared, no agreement is required, and there is no obligation at this stage.

Research & Identification

Once you authorize us to proceed, we run a comprehensive multi-source search — Florida DFS, MissingMoney.com, all 50 state databases, county court surplus records, federal bankruptcy registries, and applicable regulatory escrow sources. We search every name variation, every known address, and every associated business entity to build the complete asset picture.

Agreement & Authorization

When recoverable assets are confirmed, we present our findings along with our contingency fee agreement and a limited power of attorney authorizing Northstar to act as your representative before the holding entity. You sign — digitally, with remote notarization available — and we begin building the claim.

Documentation & Filing

We prepare the complete claim package — state forms, supporting documentation, affidavits, trust certifications, heir verification, and any additional materials required by the specific holding entity or jurisdiction. Everything is built to audit-ready standards. We submit and manage all correspondence with the state, county, or institution.

Recovery & Disbursement

When the claim is approved, funds are disbursed to you directly. Northstar’s fee is deducted at the time of recovery. We provide a full accounting of the recovery, the fee, and the net amount disbursed. The file is closed and documented for your records.

REAL SITUATIONS, REAL RECOVERIES

The Kinds of Cases We Handle

Names and identifying details have been changed to protect client privacy.

The Dormant Trust

A successor trustee in Sarasota contacted Northstar after discovering her late father’s revocable living trust held multiple unclaimed accounts — J&J dividend positions and Disney stock holdings across several separate reporting entities. The accounts had been dormant for over a decade and had escheated to the Florida DFS under different name variations of the trust. Northstar identified all accounts across both the individual and trust name, prepared a trust certification confirming successor trustee authority, and filed a consolidated claim covering all accounts. Total recovery: over $13,500. Time from intake to disbursement: approximately 60 days.

The Estate Nobody Closed

The adult children of a deceased Sebring resident reached out after discovering their mother’s name appeared in the Florida unclaimed property database. Further research revealed accounts held across Genuine Parts Company, IBM, McDonald’s, Vanguard, Truist, Chevron, and more than a dozen other reporting entities — many under slightly different name variations. The estate had been informally administered years earlier with no probate proceeding. Northstar prepared an affidavit of heirship, identified the legal heirs, and coordinated the claim documentation across all accounts. Total identified recovery: over $1.7 million across 79 accounts.

The Foreclosure Surplus

A Gail Bradbury contacted Northstar after her property had been sold at foreclosure auction for more than the balance owed. Surplus funds totaling $179,631 were being held by the Bay County Clerk of Courts and Edward D. Jones, including a $175,143 court registry balance she was unaware she was entitled to. Northstar identified the surplus, confirmed her entitlement as the former property owner, and prepared the §197.582 surplus claim package for filing. Total recovery: $179,631.

COMMON QUESTIONS

What People Ask Before They Engage Us

How do I know if I have unclaimed funds?

The Florida Department of Financial Services maintains a public searchable database at fltreasurehunt.gov. MissingMoney.com searches most other states simultaneously. However, many accounts appear under name variations, trust names, or old addresses that individuals don’t think to search. Our intake process searches every variation systematically.

What if the original account holder is deceased?

Most of our cases involve deceased account holders. As long as you are a legal heir, beneficiary, successor trustee, or authorized estate representative, you have standing to claim. We determine the correct documentation path based on your specific relationship and the applicable state statutes.

How long does the process take?

Florida state unclaimed property claims typically process within 60 to 90 days of submission. Court registry and foreclosure surplus claims can take longer depending on the county and whether competing claims exist. We manage all follow-up and keep you informed throughout.

What does it cost?

Nothing upfront. Our fee is 25% of the amount recovered, collected only when funds are disbursed. If we don’t recover, you owe nothing.

Do I need an attorney?

For most standard unclaimed property and surplus fund claims, no. For cases involving probate, contested heirship, or trust disputes, we coordinate with a Florida-licensed attorney and will advise you if your case requires one.

Trusted Feedback

We work intensively in search of ideals that can add up in the lives of our customers. This is what moves us and we are grateful for the recognition.