Search LaPorte County Unclaimed Money

Unclaimed money connected to LaPorte County is held by the Indiana Attorney General's Unclaimed Property Division and can be reclaimed at any time, free of charge. Banks, insurance companies, employers, and utilities send over dormant accounts and uncashed payments to the state when they lose contact with the owner. Whether you have lived in Michigan City, La Porte, Westville, or any other part of LaPorte County, a name search takes just a few minutes. There is nothing to pay and no account needed to look up your name in the state's database.

Indiana Unclaimed Money in LaPorte County

Indiana's unclaimed property program holds more than $914 million across about 5.1 million accounts. The Indiana Attorney General manages the system and returns more than $1 million to rightful owners every single week. About one in seven Indiana residents has unclaimed property on file. LaPorte County residents, particularly those in Michigan City and the La Porte area, have a solid number of accounts in the state database given the county's varied history of banks, businesses, and industries.

Accounts become unclaimed when holders lose contact with the owner during the required dormancy period. Under IC 32-34-1-19, most accounts transfer to the state after three to five years with no activity or contact from the owner. Under IC 32-34-1-30, you can file a claim at any point in the future. There is no expiration. The state keeps the money on hold until you come forward.

Search at indianaunclaimed.gov. It covers all Indiana counties, including LaPorte County. The largest single claim in Indiana history was $750,000.

Note: Former LaPorte County residents who have relocated can still file based on their old address in the state's records.

LaPorte County Treasurer's Office

JoEileen "Joie" Winski serves as the LaPorte County Treasurer. The treasurer's office handles property tax collection, tax settlements, and local county finances. It is not the office responsible for holding unclaimed money from private banks or insurance companies. Those funds go directly to the Indiana Attorney General's Unclaimed Property Division. However, the treasurer's office may have records of outstanding county-issued payments, like vendor checks or tax refunds, that were never collected.

If LaPorte County owes you a direct payment, the La Porte office is where to start. For everything from private-sector accounts, use the state's search tool. The county website is at laporteco.in.gov and the treasurer's page is at laporteco.in.gov/residents/county-treasurer.

How to Search LaPorte County Unclaimed Money

The search is at indianaunclaimed.gov/app/claim-search. Type your last name in the search field. Adding your first name helps narrow results. The search covers all 92 Indiana counties at once, so accounts tied to Michigan City, La Porte, or any other Indiana address you have used will all come up together. Try maiden names, old legal names, and the names of deceased parents or relatives.

The LaPorte County website shown below is a resource for residents looking for county office contacts and services across the county at laporteco.in.gov.

From the county site at laporteco.in.gov, residents can find all county department contacts, including offices that may hold records relevant to property owners and former residents throughout LaPorte County.

When you find a match, click the claim button and start the online form. The Attorney General's office will reach out if more documents are needed. Call 1-866-IN-CLAIM (1-866-462-5246) or email updmail@atg.in.gov for help at any stage of the process.

What Counts as Unclaimed Money

Indiana law defines unclaimed property broadly under IC 32-34-1-1. Any financial asset with no owner contact during the required dormancy period is subject to the unclaimed property program. LaPorte County residents may find old savings or checking accounts from banks in Michigan City or La Porte, or accounts from credit unions tied to former employers.

Other common types include uncashed payroll checks, stock dividends, insurance proceeds, utility security deposits, credit balances from closed retail accounts, and money orders. Safe deposit box contents can also become unclaimed property when the box holder stops paying fees and cannot be reached. Most accounts in the system hold under $100, but larger amounts do appear. Indiana has paid one claimant $750,000 in a single case.

Note: LaPorte County businesses must report and remit dormant accounts to the state each year under IC 32-34-1-26.

Claiming Your LaPorte County Property

The claim process costs nothing. You get the full amount. Do not pay a third party to search or file on your behalf. The state handles it for free.

Here is how LaPorte County residents file a claim:

• Search your name at indianaunclaimed.gov
• Click the record that matches your information
• Complete the online claim form with your current contact details
• Upload or mail any identity documents the state asks for
• Wait for the Attorney General's office to review and approve
• Receive payment by check or direct deposit

For small claims, a government photo ID is usually enough. Larger claims may require a utility bill or bank statement to verify your connection to the account. Estate claims filed for a deceased relative need a death certificate and proof of your legal standing, such as letters of administration or a will. The office reviews each claim and follows up if anything else is required before releasing funds.

Search Multiple States for Unclaimed Property

LaPorte County is close to Michigan, and many residents have lived or worked across state lines. If you have had accounts in Michigan or other states, MissingMoney.com is the right tool to check. It is the NAUPA-endorsed multi-state portal that searches Indiana and dozens of other participating states in one go. The search is free and requires no sign-up.

The LaPorte County Treasurer's page shown below covers local tax payment options and office contacts for the La Porte office at laporteco.in.gov.

The treasurer's page at laporteco.in.gov/residents/county-treasurer lists payment options and contact details for residents across LaPorte County. If the county issued a refund or payment that was never cashed, the treasurer's office is the right place to check.

Search both tools for the fullest results. Start at indianaunclaimed.gov for Indiana accounts. Then run the same name through MissingMoney.com for accounts in other states you may have lived in.

Cities in LaPorte County

LaPorte County includes La Porte as the county seat and Michigan City as its largest city. Michigan City has a dedicated page with more detail on unclaimed money resources for city residents. Other communities in the county include Westville, Michigan City, New Carlisle, and Wanatah.

• Michigan City - largest city in LaPorte County

Nearby Counties

LaPorte County borders several Indiana counties and is near the Michigan state line. Residents who have lived near those borders or commuted to nearby areas should also check those counties for unclaimed property records.