Frequently Asked Questions

We welcome this question. Here's how you can verify us independently:

• Search your name yourself at dollars.ehawaii.gov — the official State of Hawaii website. If funds exist, you'll see them listed there directly, before ever contacting us.
• Look up our business registration with the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA).
• We operate under Hawaii Revised Statutes §523A-25, a specific consumer protection law governing finder agreements. You can read the statute yourself.
• We never ask for money upfront. Ever. If any service demands upfront payment to search for or recover unclaimed property — that is a scam.

Go to dollars.ehawaii.gov and search your name right now. This is the official State of Hawaii database, operated by the Department of Budget and Finance. Any funds listed there are real, government-verified unclaimed property. We never fabricate or exaggerate claims — we simply help you file for what the state already acknowledges it holds in your name.

It may be legitimate — or it may not be. Here's how to tell: go directly to dollars.ehawaii.gov and search your name yourself. If funds appear there, the letter's claim is legitimate regardless of who sent it. If no funds appear, be very skeptical. Never provide personal financial information or pay money in response to an unsolicited letter without first independently verifying the funds exist at the state's official database. If you received a letter from us, our contact information will match our website exactly.

Yes. Avoid any service that:

• Asks for upfront payment before filing or delivering results
• Claims to have exclusive access to databases not available to the public
• Charges more than 20% (the legal limit under HRS §523A-25)
• Won't tell you the exact amount or source of the unclaimed funds
• Pressures you to sign immediately without time to review
• Asks you to pay them directly, rather than having the state pay you directly

We work on a contingency basis. Our fee is 20% of the successfully recovered amount. It is due only after you receive payment from the State of Hawaii. If we do not successfully recover your funds, you owe us absolutely nothing. This is our unconditional guarantee — our success depends entirely on your success.

After the State of Hawaii issues you a disbursement notice (confirming your approved claim and payment amount), our 20% fee is calculated and becomes due. The fee is based on the actual amount the state pays you. You pay our fee after receiving your funds — not before.

Never. This is a core, non-negotiable principle of how we operate. The State of Hawaii issues all payments directly to you, the rightful owner. We are never in the chain of payment. We never hold, receive, or touch your funds at any stage. The state sends the check (or direct deposit) directly to you. Our fee is a separate transaction that you initiate after receiving your money from the state.

No. If the state denies your claim or you receive nothing, you owe us nothing. Our fee is contingency-based — we only earn money when you receive money. Period. There are no cancellation fees, no service fees, and no charges for our time if the recovery is unsuccessful.

20% is the maximum fee permitted under Hawaii Revised Statutes §523A-25 for finder agreements on unclaimed property. It is the industry standard rate for legitimate contingency-based recovery services in Hawaii. While it may feel significant, consider that without our help, many clients would receive nothing — either because they didn't know the funds existed, or because their claim was rejected due to documentation errors. We earn our fee by handling the complexity so you don't have to.

Absolutely, and we encourage you to try. Visit dollars.ehawaii.gov, search your name, and follow the state's free claim instructions. Simple claims — matching name, current address, straightforward identity documents — can often be handled directly. We're here for when you want help or when the claim is complex.

From our end, we typically prepare and submit your claim within 1–2 weeks of receiving signed documents. The State of Hawaii then controls the timeline. Straightforward individual claims typically take 6–16 weeks for the state to process. More complex claims (estates, businesses, multiple claimants) can take 4–12 months or longer. We monitor and follow up proactively throughout the process.

The entire process is 100% digital. You never need to visit our office. All documents are uploaded electronically. Agreements are signed with e-signatures. Notarization (when required) is completed via video call through our online notarization service. Whether you're on Oahu, Maui, the Big Island, Kauai, or any other island — or even temporarily off-island — you can complete the entire process from your phone, tablet, or computer.

It depends on your specific claim type. For most individual claims:

• Government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
• Social Security number
• Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement, lease — matching the address on the claim)

For estate claims, additional documents include death certificates, letters testamentary, or letters of administration. For business claims, you'll need business license, EIN documentation, and authorized signatory proof. We provide a complete, personalized checklist based on your specific situation during your free consultation.

Online notarization (also called Remote Online Notarization or RON) allows you to notarize documents via a live video call with a commissioned notary, using digital signatures and electronic seals. Hawaii has enacted legislation authorizing RON, making it fully legal and valid in the state. The process typically takes 15–20 minutes. You'll verify your identity via knowledge-based authentication and appear on camera with your ID. The resulting notarized document is legally equivalent to an in-person notarization.

Hawaii Revised Statutes §523A-25 is the specific state law governing "finder agreements" — contracts between people who locate unclaimed property and the rightful owners. It exists to protect consumers. Key protections it provides:

• Fee cap: Finder fees are capped — no legitimate service can legally charge more than the statutory limit
• Disclosure requirements: We must clearly disclose the property, the amount, and all fee terms before you sign
• Cancellation rights: You have a right to cancel the agreement within a specified period
• Required written agreement: Any finder agreement must be in writing — verbal agreements are not enforceable

Operating in compliance with this statute means your rights are protected and you have legal recourse if anything goes wrong.

Yes. Hawaii law explicitly permits finder agreements for unclaimed property under HRS §523A-25. Finder fees are legal, regulated, and common practice. The law sets consumer protection requirements to ensure the process is fair and transparent. Our agreements are drafted to comply fully with this statute.

Yes. Hawaii law provides cancellation rights for finder agreements. The specific cancellation window is disclosed in your agreement. If you decide not to proceed after signing, you may cancel within that window at no cost. After the cancellation period, the terms of the agreement govern — but we're always open to a conversation if circumstances change.

If the state rejects your claim, we analyze the reason for rejection and determine whether it can be corrected and resubmitted. Many rejections are due to missing or improperly formatted documentation — these are usually fixable. If a claim is ultimately unrecoverable, you owe us nothing. Our fee is entirely contingent on your successful recovery.

Yes — estate and heir claims are one of the most common types we handle. If a deceased relative had unclaimed funds, an authorized heir or estate representative can claim them. The process requires documentation proving the death, your relationship to the deceased, and your legal authority to act on behalf of the estate (such as letters testamentary or a small estate affidavit). We guide you through exactly what's needed for your specific situation.

Yes. Businesses frequently have unclaimed property — dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks from customers or vendors, utility deposits, and more. Business claims require proof of authorized signatory status, EIN documentation, and in some cases, corporate resolutions. We handle business claims for sole proprietors, LLCs, corporations, and partnerships operating in Hawaii.

We help with all types of unclaimed property held by the State of Hawaii, including:

• Dormant bank accounts (checking, savings, CDs)
• Uncashed payroll, insurance, and refund checks
• Life insurance proceeds and annuity benefits
• Security deposits (utility, rental)
• Stocks, dividends, and brokerage accounts
• Safe deposit box contents
• Tax refunds and government payments
• Business-related unclaimed funds

Yes. Unclaimed property is held by the state permanently until claimed — there is no expiration date on your right to claim it. If you previously lived in Hawaii or had a Hawaii address associated with an account, you may have unclaimed property in the state's database regardless of where you live now. Our process is fully digital, so geography is no obstacle.

There is no legal minimum — any amount of unclaimed property can be claimed. Practically speaking, for very small amounts (under $100), the effort of the claim process may outweigh the benefit, especially for DIY filers. For our services, we evaluate each situation individually. The state database sometimes shows "undisclosed" amounts — meaning you don't know the value until the claim is processed, which can result in pleasant surprises.