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Unclaimed Funds

What are Unclaimed Funds?

Unclaimed funds are funds held by the court for an owner or recipient who is entitled to the money, but who has failed to claim ownership or who cannot be located, and payment has been returned.

How to Find Unclaimed Funds

Click here to access the U.S. Bankruptcy Unclaimed Funds Locator. Select WAEB (Washington Eastern Bankruptcy Court) from the court drop-down list and enter the applicable search criteria. Although every effort is made to display updated and accurate data, this database is not the official court record. To ensure accuracy and timeliness, review the docket entries on file with the court related to the deposit of unclaimed funds for the particular creditor and case of interest. Contact the court for assistance if needed.

 

Another alternative is to access PACER, the judiciary's online resource to U.S. Applellate, District, and Bankruptcy courts records nationwide. Access to PACER is available here, or you may access PACER through our public access kiosks located in each of our offices. Use of the kiosk is free; however, there is a small per-page charge for any pages that are printed.

How to Claim Unclaimed Funds

The court will only disburse unclaimed funds to the rightful owner upon full proof of the right thereto. Therefore, the following forms and documentation are required:

  1. A completed Application for Payment of Unclaimed Funds (Form 1340)
  2. Form AO213P: Request for Unclaimed Fund Payee Information/TIN Certification - Do not redact tax number
  3. Required supporting documentation

The court allows parties to file an omnibus Application for Payment of Unclaimed Funds owed to them in multiple cases managed by this court, rather than requiring separate applications to be filed in each case. A claimant filing an omnibus application will be required to file a list of case numbers/names with the application. Please contact the court at 509-458-5300 for additional information and instructions.

The court allows parties to file an omnibus Application for Payment of Unclaimed Funds owed to them in multiple cases managed by this court, rather than requiring separate applications to be filed in each case. A claimant filing an omnibus application will be required to file a list of case numbers/names with the application. Please contact the court at 509-458-5300 for additional information and instructions.

Links

Instructions for Filing Application for Payment of Unclaimed Funds

Form 1340 - Application for Payment of Unclaimed Funds

AO 213P – Request for Unclaimed Fund Payee Information/TIN Certification

Filing in paper

Mail the original application to the following address:

U.S. Bankruptcy Court
PO Box 2164
Spokane, WA 99210

Filing electronically (CM/ECF account holders only)

File the application only using the Application for Payment of Unclaimed Funds event.

File the supporting documentation using the Unclaimed Funds – Supporting Documents event. This event is restricted from public view and documents are only viewed by court personnel.

PLEASE NOTE: Applications received that are incomplete or do not comply with requirements may be denied by the court. Documentation which has been altered may not be processed. Each claim is subject to verification by the Court. An application may reference multiple claims of a single claimant in a case; however, separate petitions are required for each petitioner and for each use.

Issuance of Funds

The court will set a hearing on the application in cases in which the owner of record has assigned the claim to a funds locator or other entity. After the original application and all required supporting documentation is received and approved by Order of the Court, funds will be disbursed no sooner than 14 calendar days from entry of the order. If a power of attorney is filed, the check will be mailed to the claimant's agent. If a funds locator files the application, the check will be issued jointly to the claimant and the funds locator.

Privacy

Because documents filed electronically with the Court are available through the internet, the Court is committed to the protection of personal identification information. The individual applicant’s driver’s license number should be blacked out for privacy considerations. Also, all but the last four digits of the Social Security number should be blacked out for the same privacy reasons, except on Form AO 213P – Request for Unclaimed Fund Payee Information/TIN Certification. Form AO213P must be filed with the supporting documentation.

Responsibility

The responsibility for redacting personal identifiers rests solely with counsel and the parties. The bankruptcy clerk is not responsible for ensuring compliance.