Detailed Answer
Overview: Locating assets across multiple counties or states requires a systematic approach. You’ll combine public‐record searches, court procedures, and formal discovery. While you can gather many records on your own, Alabama law also lets you petition a probate or civil court to compel disclosure of unknown assets.
1. Begin with Known Documents
Start by reviewing any wills, trust agreements, financial statements and tax returns. These often list real estate addresses, bank names, investment accounts, vehicles and business interests.
2. Search County Public Records
- Real Property: Check each county’s probate or revenue commission website for recorded deeds and mortgages. You can often search by name or parcel number.
- Vehicles: Use the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s online title lookup to find vehicle registrations.
3. UCC and Business Filings
Search the Alabama Secretary of State’s web portal to find Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings and corporate records. This reveals secured loans and business ownership interests.
Alabama Secretary of State – Business Services: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/business-entities
4. Unclaimed Property Database
Check the Alabama State Treasury’s unclaimed property site for dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks or forgotten deposits.
Unclaimed Property Search: https://treasury.alabama.gov/unclaimed-property/
5. Court‐Ordered Discovery
If you suspect assets but can’t locate them, you may petition the probate court for an order under Alabama Code § 43-8-80. This statute allows an executor or interested party to compel someone to disclose hidden estate assets. For civil cases, you can use Ala. R. Civ. P. 26–34 to request documents or take depositions.
Alabama Code § 43-8-80 — Proceedings to Discover Assets: law.justia.com/codes/alabama/2019/title-43/chapter-8/section-43-8-80/
6. Professional Asset Locators
Specialized investigators and forensic accountants use proprietary databases, credit reports and advanced search techniques to uncover bank accounts, securities and transfers across jurisdictions.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult a qualified attorney before taking legal action.
Helpful Hints
- Keep detailed notes of each search, including dates, jurisdictions and search terms.
- Review federal and state tax returns for reported assets and interest income.
- Use online county recorder and tax assessor portals for remote searches.
- Request certified copies of deeds or titles when needed for official proceedings.
- Consider a limited power of attorney to obtain records from financial institutions.
- Store all findings in a secure, centralized folder or database for easy reference.