Frequently asked questions.
How do I know you’re legitimate?
Since our founding, we’ve proudly maintained our status as a BBB Accredited Business and have consistently been in good standing with the Better Business Bureau. Our commitment to excellence has earned us the BBB Award of Excellence, recognizing our outstanding service year after year.
Most importantly, we’ve successfully helped thousands of clients recover millions of dollars, transforming lives through the assets we’ve uncovered as a team. We've seen firsthand how these recoveries have provided financial relief, renewed hope, and opened up new opportunities for our clients.
What does “unclaimed or lost asset” mean?
The phrase refers to any money owed to you or your family that you may not even know exists. There are many reasons why you or your family might be unaware of these assets, which could come from sources like property, stocks, bonds, insurance policies, royalties, rentals, wages, tax refunds, or a range of other possibilities. By the time we contact you, these assets have typically been converted into a monetary value and are being held by various agencies or parties. Every year, The McRel Group uncovers millions of dollars in unclaimed assets held in individuals’ names. In most cases, the laws governing these funds only require the holding party to make a minimal effort to locate the rightful owner, meaning that without our research, this money would likely go unclaimed.
How did my assets get lost?
Assets might stem from an inheritance, lost payments, or returns on property, businesses, or insurance policies purchased years ago by a family member. Over time, mistakes can occur with names and addresses, and as people move, get married, use nicknames, or change their names for various reasons, it becomes challenging for entities to track down the rightful beneficiaries. In some cases, laws permit entities to invest the assets and eventually absorb those that remain unclaimed, providing little incentive for the asset holder to make more than a minimal effort to locate the beneficiaries.
Who has my lost assets?
Your assets could be held by a variety of entities. The McRel Group typically finds lost or unclaimed assets with organizations other than state abandoned property offices, meaning they won’t show up in a simple Internet search. Once you submit the completed paperwork, a claims professional will provide you with more detailed information.
How do I get started?
If we've already reached out to you, the first step is to complete and return the contingency agreement. This agreement clearly outlines the terms and conditions and grants The McRel Group the authority to act on your behalf in processing the claim. Once we receive all the necessary paperwork, a claims professional will get in touch with you to address any additional needs and keep you informed about the progress of your claim.
How long will the process take?
The timeline for your claim can vary depending on its type, complexity, and the entity holding the assets. Typically, the claims process takes anywhere from six to eighteen months once the claim is filed, though some cases may take several years to resolve. After we receive all the necessary paperwork, your claims professional will provide a more accurate timeline based on your specific situation.
We will do everything in our power to expedite your claim; however, in many cases, there are no laws requiring asset holders to release the assets within a certain timeframe, so the wait is often dictated by the asset holder. Keep in mind that we operate on a contingency-fee basis, meaning we don’t get paid until your assets are recovered. This gives us every incentive to move your claim forward as quickly as possible.
Is there a time limit to claim any lost or unclaimed funds?
There’s no straightforward answer to that question, as every claim is different, and asset holders are governed by various laws. Assets held by State Abandoned Property Offices often have lengthy or even indefinite time limits, but these aren’t typically the assets we recover. Many of the assets we locate have much narrower timeframes in which a claim can be filed, and in some cases, asset holders are permitted to absorb the unclaimed assets once that period expires. When we identify assets and reach out to potential claimants, we always inform them of any relevant deadlines. Regardless of whether there’s a deadline, the claims process can be time-consuming, so we recommend returning your paperwork as quickly as possible. The sooner we recover your assets, the sooner you can start benefiting from them.
How does The McRel Group make money in this process?
We operate on a contingency-fee basis, with all terms clearly outlined in a written contract signed by both you and The McRel Group. We cover all expenses related to the claims process upfront, so you don’t have to worry about any initial costs. Once the assets are recovered, we deduct a percentile from the total amount of assets recovered as detailed in our contract. By deducting expenses from the recovered amount, we are motivated to keep costs as low as possible. If, in the rare case, we’re unable to recover your assets, we absorb all the expenses, and you owe nothing.
Rest assure, there are absolutely no up front cost or fees to you. You pay nothing until after our team of experts recover every penny of what the government is keeping from you. After we have successfully recovered your assets you then keep the larger percentile of what we are able to recover for you. Your money belongs in your wallet, not the governments pockets.
Got Questions?
If you have any additional questions or concerns, we are here to assist you.
Please complete the form below, and a member of our team will respond to you promptly.