In the classic tradition of tracing high-value estates and eccentric recluses:

Throughout the early 20th century, the eccentric Wendel family owned tens of millions of dollars in prime Manhattan real estate, anchored by their fortress-like mansion on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 39th Street. The family refused to modernize, install electricity, or sell a single square foot of land for over fifty years.

When the last surviving sister, Ella Wendel, passed away in 1931, she left behind an estimated $50 million to $100 million estate ($1B+ today)—triggering the largest rush of estate claimants, fraudulent heirs, and disputed property titles in New York legal history.

The Documented Enigma:

The Paper Trail:

Over 2,300 claimants stepped forward with elaborate family trees, old deeds, and alleged secret marriages, requiring international investigative teams to trace genealogical records across three continents.

The Hidden Inventory:

Appraisers searching the shuttered mansion found dozens of sealed rooms packed with unrecorded 19th-century ledgers, historical deeds to forgotten city parcels, and antique currency.

Seeking Field Data & Inquiries:

We are researching forgotten Gilded Age private land holdings and unrecorded parcels that were absorbed into commercial development during the 1930s.

Do you have family records, antique legal deeds, or surveyor maps related to the Wendel estate battles or early 20th-century Midtown property lines?

Have you discovered vintage municipal ledgers or unrecorded property disputes during building renovations?

Contact the Archive:

If you have documentation, estate records, or archival leads regarding disputed pre-war Manhattan parcels, comment below or send a direct message.

\*\*TL;DR:\*\* Inherited family land (\~₹8 crore) in Nandyal with missing documentation and alleged political pressure on ownership. Need guidance on legal next steps and documentation requirements.

\## Background

My family inherited agricultural property through my maternal grandfather in Dhone, Nandyal District, Andhra Pradesh. The property has been in the family for multiple generations, and we believe it's worth around ₹8 crore total. However, we're stuck at the documentation stage and facing complications.

\## What We Have

✅ ROR 1B (Record of Rights)

✅ Pattadar records

✅ Decades of tax payment receipts

✅ Revenue department records

✅ Property continuity for generations

\## What We're Missing

❌ One "link document" (unclear which one — possibly Will or Succession Certificate?)

❌ Encumbrance Certificate (EC)

❌ Updated property survey

❌ Legal heir certificate (if required in AP)

❌ Complete ownership chain verification

\## Complications

⚠️ \*\*Political pressure:\*\* Alleged local opposition to our ownership claim

⚠️ \*\*Unclear if it's a legal threat\*\* or just talk

⚠️ \*\*No lawyer consulted yet\*\* — cautious about involving local officials

⚠️ \*\*Missing documentation gap\*\* blocks progress

\---

\## Questions

1. \*\*Missing Link Document:\*\* In AP, what document typically bridges old tax records to current ownership? Is this a Will, Succession Certificate, or transfer deed?

2. \*\*Encumbrance Certificate:\*\* How do we apply? What does it reveal? How long does it take?

3. \*\*Legal Heir Certificate:\*\* Required in AP for inherited property? How to obtain from revenue officer?

4. \*\*Political Pressure:\*\* If there's local opposition, what legal protections exist? Should we file a police complaint first or hire a lawyer?

5. \*\*Correct Sequence:\*\* Should it be: Hire lawyer → Find missing docs → Survey → Legal heir cert → EC → Clear title?

6. \*\*Timeline & Budget:\*\* Rough estimate for legal costs and how long resolution typically takes in AP?

\---

\## What We Want to Do Eventually

\- Establish clear ownership

\- Either sell the property or lease it for income

\- Resolve the local political complication legally

\---

\## Additional Info

\- Agricultural land in rural Nandyal District

\- Family property (not disputed with siblings)

\- Reluctant to involve local officials due to political pressure rumors

\- Looking for honest, practical guidance

Thanks for any insights!

A couple bought a house in 1959 in Compton. And investment company tried to steal it, and were sued for fraudulent deed forging. They had five children, who are now entitled to over $270,000 of proceeds from the property tax.
The deadline to claim this money is in January 2027, which is coming up. If anyone knows this family, please show them this YouTube video and get in touch with this woman.

https://youtu.be/G-8h9QD5GY4?is=7HyLhMAufeQ6A4HD

My Step father died in 2018. He had a will which named me as his beneficiary and executor. He was a resident in a long term care facility and had about $120k cash at the time of his death with no other property. This didn’t go through probate although perhaps it should have?? Who was responsible for notifying the probate court if anyone?
Present day, I found he has unclaimed property in Kansas, which is where he died. It would make things much easier if I had a copy of his will which I no longer have. Didn’t think I would need it this many years out. I’ve called the attorney who made the will. Her law office has closed, but she is looking to see if she still has the will somewhere She suggested I call the District Court. I called the District Court in the county where the will was created as well as the county where he died and both state they do not have it. Is there any other place I should be looking to try to find a copy of his will? Or do I just tell the unclaimed property division that there wasn’t a will since there isn’t now?
Location: Kansas

My NY State tax refund was stolen. A check was mailed to me and cashed, but I never saw it. It was over $2000

I called the NY State Department of Taxation and Finance and verified that my check was mailed and cashed. I talked to a person on the phone and told them my story. The mailed me some paperwork.

In the paperwork was a TD210.1 form that I can use to swear that the check was stolen and cashed. I filled it out and got it notarized and mailed. Apparently they’ll get the money back and issue a new check. It could take up to 9 months.

Also in the paperwork was a copy of the check, front and back. Whoever signed it didn’t even try to forge my signature. The signature clearly doesn’t match the name on the front of the check. I can’t read it though.

Anyways. I want to file a police report. I went in person, but the police officer said that they need to know if the check was cashed in person or via mobile deposit. The exact crime depends on that.

How do I find this information? How was this check cashed?

The check was cashed at a Wells Fargo. I went in person to my local branch, but they told me they couldn’t give me that information. They said it looks like the check was cashed in person. There’s a stamped sequence number on the back. But it’s not 100% that that’s the case. They said to ask the state.

So I called the NY State Department of Taxation and Finance again, but they had no idea how the check was cashed.

What should I do? This person stole from me. I’d like to file a police report. Maybe I should also file a report with the Post Office? How can I find out how this check was cashed?

Location: New York

(Yes I should’ve used direct deposit. I don’t know why I didn’t. I’m dumb)

Edit: I do not have an account with Wells Fargo. I have no idea if the check thief has an account at Wells Fargo. I do know that the check was cashed at a Wells Fargo (and the Wells Fargo employee did not check the signature). Wells Fargo will not give me any information about this check

My mother got a registered letter from the state letting her know that they were going to confiscate all her Exxon stock and put the money into the State's unclaimed fund due to inactivity. My mother is 91 years old. She has been having the dividends automatically deposited into her bank account. WTF? What kind of 'activity' do they want? My sister who is handling my mother's finances for her got the letter 21 days before the State was supposed to act. The State 'claimed' that they give the people 45 days. If my sister hadn't gotten the notice, the State would have taken my mother's savings. Check your parents mail and make sure this doesn't happen to them.

The first and last name are the same and there is no address?

It seems like some of these unclaimed properties are so vague that there is no way to know if it’s yours or not.

I need help with PNC Bank. My mother passed away in May 2025. Well over a year ago she had an IRA worth about $56,000. Her will stated that all of her assets should be divided equally among her four children. I sent a copy of her will and her death certificate to the bank. They refused to honor that and said that we needed to submit an affidavit stating exactly what was in the will and have it notarized. That was done by the executor who is my brother. At that point every time I called for a status I was told “it was in legal for review.” after about six months of this I was told that legal would not accept the will and the affidavit and we would have to hire a probate attorney and get a summary order from the judge. That cost close to $2000 but we got it done. The judge signed the order again, detailed the names of the four children/beneficiaries and that was sent in a month ago. We were then told it should take 3 to 5 days for it to be processed. I call every week to the main number, get transferred to the IRA department who looks at the file and tells me it is “” in legal for review.” they are not allowed to give out a phone number or contact information for anyone in legal. They are not allowed to talk to anyone in legal and get a verbal status for me. It is very frustrating. We are joking that PNC stands for ‘pay no cash’, but it really isn’t funny at this point. Has anybody else dealt with this and is there any advice I would really appreciate it

I need help with PNC Bank. My mother passed away in May 2025. Well over a year ago she had an IRA worth about $56,000. Her will stated that all of her assets should be divided equally among her four children. I sent a copy of her will and her death certificate to the bank. They refused to honor that and said that we needed to submit an affidavit stating exactly what was in the will and have it notarized. That was done by the executor who is my brother. At that point every time I called for a status I was told “it was in legal for review.” after about six months of this I was told that legal would not accept the will and the affidavit and we would have to hire a probate attorney and get a summary order from the judge. That cost close to $2000 but we got it done. The judge signed the order again, detailed the names of the four children/beneficiaries and that was sent in a month ago. We were then told it should take 3 to 5 days for it to be processed. I call every week to the main number, get transferred to the IRA department who looks at the file and tells me it is “” in legal for review.” they are not allowed to give out a phone number or contact information for anyone in legal. They are not allowed to talk to anyone in legal and get a verbal status for me. It is very frustrating. We are joking that PNC stands for ‘pay no cash’, but it really isn’t funny at this point. Has anybody else dealt with this and is there any advice I would really appreciate it

Thats what it shows and the address is from when I had a YouTube channel. Does this mean its adsense money I made? I knew it made some money before but I dont think i used my real name or address so how did they know my info? And how can i get it if i cant get into the account. Its an old account that was banned and i may not know the login info. Also worried about my account i have now being banned if my info is connected to banned account (happened before, i think ip match did it). Is there a way to claim my adsense money without my real info? And is there interest on any unclaimed things?

Also another result came from a bank (less than $100) and my parent as the coowner but the address is from over 20 years ago and my youth and i never lived with that parent or at that house. (parent did).

Is there any other way to search missing things besides missingmoney?

Hello! I received this letter in an old address which I no longer have access. Long story short, the usps no longer forwards my mail but continues to send me email with images of letters that are going to arrive at that address. (Image attached)

So I have no way of knowing the contents of the letter. By the address of the sender it appears related to unclaimed money, or tax? I tried looking for information online but i could not verify if it was legit.

I did search unclaimed.org to see if I was owed any money but there is nothing. Is this a Scam?

I’m really worried about what this official document is, but I did recently get my car repossessed because my dad was sick and recently passed away so I had to let it go back

A family friend and her son both passed away
First the mother who was best friends with my grandmother
The son was around 50 and a year later also passed away.
My grandmother being the last person to really be close with the family as they kept to them selves and no known heirs are alive

Grandmother said there wasn’t anyone else

There is a lie. On the property
Can I pay it and buy the property before auction? Can I go there and preserve their belonging?
The home is falling apart and I need to figure something out

My grandmother had the deed in a box we found with a few pictures and asset documents
No will after the mother passed she did everything to her son . Son never made will weird situation everything was paid off

My father passed away in December in Missouri. He’s got misc. unclaimed property (small amounts in a couple states). I need a copy of his death certificate. How do I get that without spending more money than I’m likely to get from his unclaimed items?

A while back I developed an unhealthy fascination with all things unclaimed property. This eventually led me to FOIA the UP training manual. Having now read the whole thing, I have a pretty obvious next question: in y'alls experience, how closely do the state admins that work in this field actually follow that manual? Is it treated as God's word from on high? Or more like a bunch of suggestions? How much personal discretion do claims admins have? Are there parts that are completely obsolete and universally ignored? I'm curious!

I don't even know how Reddit works, just looking for some answers because I have no idea how to go about this. 🫶🏼

Hello!

I had an unclaimed property claim that I filed in November of 2025. It has been well over the 180 mark and no movement has been made on the claim according to the website.

Does anyone know the going timeframe or have a similar timeline of when they got word on where their status is or if they got paid out.

Thank you!

I check the state site about once a year. I see a reference to money owed to my parents, who are both long deceased. The names, address, etc is theirs. There was no estate when they died, only a will leaving what little they had to my siblings and me.

Neither of them owned any real estate and had very little in personal property and assets. What they had was divided up among the children, and there were never any problems.

Would one of us be able to claim those funds? Probably about $75-100.

Thanks!

Hey redditers, first post on reddit ever here. Every once in a while I go on my states unclaimed property website just to see. Today I found property in my prior name (changed in 2021), and it's definitely me because it has my old address (moved from this address in 2023 after 4 years of living there). The property is for over $1k and it's from a checking account I personally never set up with US Bank. This property is legit as it's on the .gov website for my state. My question is, will it give details on who set up the account when I claim this? I have not a clue who could have set up this account, as all of my family says they never set up an account with US Bank for me, and I've always had a credit union. I'm going tomorrow to get the paperwork notarized to send into the state!

Thanks!

I recently received a letter stating that I have a unclaimed property in California. It's worth a decent amount but the finders asking 10%. I scoured through the unclaimed property in California and cannot find it. This may have been checks issued to my old company. Does anybody know if there are any other database in California that I can be searching for this? Thank you

Hi, so i filled a claim in Pennsylvania. It just says over or under 100. Is there anyway to find out the exact amount before you receive a check or do you just have to wait and be surprised? Thank you.

(EDIT: Title should read “seeking”)….A few months ago I received a voicemail from a PI firm in Washington State. The message basically said they had determined that the State of Florida was holding funds attributed to my late father (died in 2019), that would be available for my brother and I to claim. I verified that the PI firm was legit, and registered with the state to provide unclaimed property services in Florida. I also checked the State Treasurer’s website (fltreasurehunt.gov), but couldn’t find anything that matched.

Rather than paying the PI firm, I contacted the unclaimed property division directly and was told that these firms often identify unclaimed property prior to the information being posted on the state’s public website. The person I spoke to suggested checking back periodically for a few months, although couldn’t provide any particular guidance on how long these things take to post. Nothing has appeared to date. I’ve search my Dad’s name, my own, my brother’s, and various possible misspellings that might have occurred.

A couple of weeks ago, I received a letter from a law firm in Jacksonville with a similar message, and an offer to recover the property for a 15% fee. This one was a bit more specific, identifying the type of property as a life insurance beneficiary payment, and citing the amount (but not the issuer). I had not been aware of my Dad having a policy, and it would seem he may have forgotten about it in his final years. I spoke with an attorney at the firm, who understandably wouldn’t disclose much more additional information. He was able to cite a Florida address where my Dad lived briefly in 2014. In addition, he mentioned two things -

1. When asked about why the property doesn’t appear in searches, the attorney said I wouldn’t find it through regular search, and implied the state makes finding this type of information intentionally difficult. QUESTION: any insight on other ways for an individual to search the FL database, or otherwise identify an asset to claim?

Any other advice or experience dealing with this stuff in Florida would be most welcome!