Category Archives: Unclaimed Property Advisory

A Qui Tam Win for Holders, New Federal Common-Law Ruling, JPMorgan Appeals, and a Possible California Amnesty Program

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Our Unclaimed Property Team highlights several recent rulings – both federal and state from across the country – and a new California law that could have broad implications for holders. Qui tam rulings in Delaware and New York A fight for removal from state to federal court A possible California amnesty program Read the full advisory here. [...]Read more

Univar, Chapter Two: Only a Pair of Constitutional Claims Survive Dismissal (For Now)

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Our Unclaimed Property Team breaks down the many individual issues at stake in the continuing epic of Univar’s struggle against Delaware and its use of a third-party auditor, and how the courts are deciding in light of earlier Third Circuit rulings. The procedural due process and equal protection claims survive The other claims were dismissed, but could be revived later The next chapter will be set (again) in chancery court Read the full advisory here. [...]Read more

False Claims Act Is Again in Focus, This Time in New York

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Last week, our Unclaimed Property Team uncovered the broader implications of a New York court’s False Claims Act ruling that could create a new risk for holders that report past-due property. Overview of the action brought by the relator The court’s decision Implications for holders Read the full advisory here. [...]Read more

Colorado’s New Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act Should Prompt Holder Action

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Our Unclaimed Property Team examines the potential adverse impacts on holders as Colorado joins the list of states updating their unclaimed property laws by adopting a version of RUUPA that repeals its existing $25 reporting deduction but preserves the state’s existing treatment of gift cards. Impacted holders should consider redomestication Will the state apply the repeal retroactively and attempt to claw back deducted funds? Gift cards and gift certificates – maintaining the status quo Read the fill advisory here. [...]Read more

Unclaimed Property Challenges in the Health Care Industry

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States across the country are undertaking unclaimed property audit campaigns. These audits are targeting large national health care providers and insurance companies. Learn from Unclaimed Property partners Kendall Houghton and Matt Hedstrom why these audits raise HIPAA and unclaimed property concerns for the health care sector. Click here to read the article.   [...]Read more

Delaware’s Escheats Law Is Back in Court

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Our Unclaimed Property Group examines the latest challenge to Delaware’s Escheats Law, regulations, and audit practices. Lawsuit in response to state subpoena of holder’s records Substantive challenge to audit practices even after recent Escheats Law amendments Comparison to Plains All American Pipeline and Temple-Inland Read the full advisory here. [...]Read more

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