Category Archives: Unclaimed Property Advisory

What Is the Future State of Unclaimed Property?

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Over the past two years, a series of sea-change developments in the unclaimed property compliance arena has impacted corporations in the U.S. As part of this series of articles produced by Duff & Phelps asking what's next, Kendall Houghton considers how investment assets will continue to generate audit disputes and litigation. Read the articles here. [...]Read more

Minnesota Supreme Court Requires Payment of Interest to Owner of Unclaimed Property

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On March 7, 2018, the Minnesota Supreme Court issued a decision in Hall v. Minnesota, No. A16-0874, requiring the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce to pay interest on proceeds from an interest-bearing account while the proceeds were in the custody of the state. Four owners requested the return of their unclaimed property in custody of the state, and the state complied.  After receiving their property, the owners sued the state claiming that the state's refusal to pay interest was prohibited under the Takings Clause of the federal Constitution. Minnesota statutes provide that the Commissioner [...]Read more

Predicting the Possible “Perfect Storm” of Unclaimed Property Trends in 2018

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Our Unclaimed Property Group looks ahead to 2018’s perfect storm of holder- and state-initiated litigation and more. Litigation – what happened and what’s next Adopting the Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act The ABA’s Model Unclaimed Property Act Delaware’s VDA program Read the full advisory here. [...]Read more

Third Circuit Continues the Marathon Battle Over Delaware’s Escheat Law

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Delaware’s unclaimed property law continues to face challenges in federal court. Our Unclaimed Property Group runs through the latest twist in the ongoing Marathon v. Cook saga at the Third Circuit. Federal common law rule Ripeness of the challenge A dim view of Delaware’s aggressive audits Read the full advisory here. [...]Read more

Delaware Finalizes Much-Anticipated

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In the wake of litigation, Delaware revamped its Escheats Law in early 2017. Now the state has issued final regulations required by the legislation. Our Unclaimed Property Team takes stock of the changes and the quickly approaching deadline for holders to act. Regulations reflect the same old Delaware audit practices Holders must consider whether to convert an audit to a VDA When exactly is the deadline? Read the full advisory here. [...]Read more

Unclaimed Property ADVISORY: Delaware’s Escheats Law Faces Due Process Challenge

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Our Unclaimed Property Team delves into the Third Circuit decision that gives Plains’s due process claim its day in court and could give holders a leg up on Delaware’s Escheats Law. The district court dismisses on all counts Third Circuit allows due process claim The implications Read the full advisory here. [...]Read more

Unclaimed Property ADVISORY: Delaware Reworks Its Recent Unclaimed Property Overhaul Legislation

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Delaware revised its unclaimed property overhaul legislation, and the Secretary of State issued its final VDA estimation regulations. Our Unclaimed Property Team explains what happened and what’s happening next. Five-month extension for Department of Finance’s regulations Holder-friendly updates to SB 13 New Department of State VDA estimation regulations Read the advisory here. [...]Read more

Unclaimed Property ADVISORY: Illinois General Assembly Stealthily Enacts Version of Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act

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Illinois passed its first budget in two years – and snuck in (a modified version of) the 2016 Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act. Our Unclaimed Property Team unearths the Act’s numerous provisions, many of them unfavorable for holders. Eliminating the B2B exemption Other variations from the uniform Act and current Illinois law Potential legal hurdles Read the advisory here. [...]Read more

Illinois Stealthily Enacts Version of RUUPA as Part of Budget Bill

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This week, the Illinois General Assembly enacted budget legislation (SB 9) to much fanfare.  Although most news stories will likely focus on the fact that the state has a budget for the first time in several years, the real breaking news in the unclaimed property world is that a version of the 2016 Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act ("RUUPA") was included as part of SB 9.  A RUUPA bill (HB 2603) had previously been introduced and considered in the legislature but had been stagnant since March.  However, Illinois' version of RUUPA is enacted and effective on January 1, 2018, seemingly [...]Read more