(a) Notwithstanding Section 50052, the treasurer may release to the depositor of the unclaimed money, their heir, beneficiary, or duly appointed representative, unclaimed money if claimed prior to the date the money becomes the property of the local agency upon submitting proof satisfactory to the treasurer, unless the unclaimed money is deposited pursuant to Section 7663 of the Probate Code.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 50052, the treasurer may release unclaimed money deposited with the county treasurer pursuant to Section 7663 of the Probate Code, to any adult blood relative of either the decedent or the decedent’s predeceased spouse.
(c) Notwithstanding Section 50052, the treasurer may release unclaimed money deposited with the county treasurer pursuant to Section 7663 of the Probate Code to the parent who has legal and physical custody of a minor who is a blood relative of either the decedent or the decedent’s predeceased spouse without the need to appoint a legal guardian for the minor as follows:
(1) If the value of the unclaimed money deposited with the county treasurer is five thousand dollars ($5,000) or less, the treasurer may release the money according to Section 3401 of the Probate Code.
(2) If the value of the unclaimed money deposited with the county treasurer is sixty thousand dollars ($60,000) or less, and the money is not released under paragraph (1), the unclaimed money may be released by the treasurer to the parent who shall, after payment of any costs incurred in making the claim, hold the money in trust, to be used only for the care, maintenance, and education of the minor, and the parent shall be liable therefor to the minor under the fiduciary laws of this state. The money held in trust shall be released to the minor when the minor reaches the age of majority.
(d) The claim shall be presented to the county treasurer in affidavit form and signed under penalty of perjury. Notwithstanding Section 13101 of the Probate Code, the claimant, to be entitled to the entire escheated estate, needs only to establish with documentary proof the existence of a blood relationship to either the decedent or of the predeceased spouse, if any, and the documentary proof, if regular on its face, need not be certified. Notwithstanding Section 13101 of the Probate Code, the claimant shall not be required to declare that no other person has an equal or superior claim to the escheated estate.
The county treasurer may rely in good faith on the sworn statements made in the claim and shall have no duty to inquire into the truth or credibility of evidence submitted.
In paying out the escheated estate, the county treasurer shall be held harmless to all. Payment shall act as total acquittance and shall completely discharge the county treasurer from any liability.
If the county treasurer rejects any claim made hereunder, the claimant may take his or her grievance to the Superior Court of the county holding the escheated estate.
Any claim paid hereunder shall be paid without interest.
(Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 333, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2001.)