San Francisco County Probate Estates Held by the State
San Francisco County probate estates remitted to the California State Controller currently include 502,894 claimable estates holding $592,089,850 in total, with 8,161 estates worth $10,000 or more. Anyone whose relative died in San Francisco County can check whether an estate balance remains unclaimed with the State.
The short answer
San Francisco County probate estates remitted to the California State Controller currently include 502,894 claimable estates holding $592,089,850 in total, with 8,161 estates worth $10,000 or more. Anyone whose relative died in San Francisco County can check whether an estate balance remains unclaimed with the State.
- 502,894 claimable probate estates originating in San Francisco County are on record with the State Controller.
- Those estates together hold $592,089,850 still awaiting heirs or executors.
- 8,161 of those San Francisco County estates are worth $10,000 or more.
- The 10 per cent fee cap under CCP §1582 does not apply to county probated estates; the Controller states there is no fee restriction for investigators filing on estates that came through probate.
- There is no deadline to claim, unless the estate has been permanently escheated to the State.
From the State Controller’s own records
| Claimable probate estates | 502,894 |
|---|---|
| Total still held | $592,089,850 |
| Estates of $10,000 or more | 8,161 |
Counted from our copy of the State Controller’s published file, last rebuilt September 25, 2026.
How many San Francisco County estates are still unclaimed?
Our index currently shows 502,894 claimable probate estates that trace back to San Francisco County, holding $592,089,850 between them. Of those, 8,161 estates are worth $10,000 or more, the size of balance most worth pursuing once notary and administrative costs are weighed against the recovery.
These figures come from our own index of the State Controller’s published estate records, refreshed twice a year on the first business day of April and October (State Controller, Estates of Deceased Persons File). Each entry lists the decedent, the heirs on record, the county of probate, the case number, and the balance remaining.
Why would a probated estate end up with the State Controller?
When a person dies and their estate goes through probate in San Francisco County Superior Court, the court-appointed executor or administrator distributes assets to heirs. If a distribution cannot be completed, for example because an heir cannot be located or a check is never cashed, the county probate court remits the remaining balance to the State Controller rather than holding it indefinitely at the county level.
This is a different pathway from the more familiar unclaimed property reports that banks, insurers and employers file under Code of Civil Procedure §1530, such as dormant accounts or uncashed paychecks. Probated estates arrive under the Probate Code instead, and the State Controller keeps a separate file for them. See our page on probate estates and the second State file for how that file works.
Is there a deadline to claim a San Francisco County estate?
California places no deadline on claiming unclaimed property, and that includes probated estate balances. The State holds the money indefinitely until an owner or heir comes forward. The one exception is an estate that has been permanently escheated, meaning the State has taken final title; once that happens, no claim will be paid on that balance. Most estates in our index are not in that category, which is why we describe them as claimable.
What does it cost to recover a probated estate?
The 10 per cent fee cap that applies to ordinary unclaimed property under CCP §1582 governs property reported under §1530. It does not reach estates that came to the State through county probate. The State Controller states plainly that there are no fee restrictions for investigators filing claims for the owners or heirs of county probated estates (Code of Civil Procedure §1582).
For our own probate estate work we still charge a percentage of what is recovered, and nothing unless the claim is paid. No fee is collected in advance of the Controller approving and paying the claim. You can review the full breakdown on our pricing page, and the general legal background on what the law says about finder fees.
How do you find out whether your relative's estate is on the list?
The most direct step is to search a name against our index, which covers 14,613,528 property records along with the probate estate file described above. A search will show whether a decedent’s name from San Francisco County appears, and if so, the county, case number and balance on record.
Claiming as an heir or executor involves its own paperwork, including proof of the family relationship or letters of administration, and claims over certain thresholds require notarization. Our page on claiming as an heir or executor walks through what is typically required.
What should you do next
If you believe a relative’s estate went through probate in San Francisco County, start by searching the name. If a match turns up, our full-service recovery handles the filing, the supporting documents, and communication with the Controller’s office on your behalf, and our fee is owed only once the estate balance is paid. Nothing is charged if nothing is recovered.
Questions People Ask
Does San Francisco County itself hold this money?
No. Once a probate court in San Francisco County remits an unclaimed estate balance, the money moves to the California State Controller, not the county. The county case number is kept on record, but the Controller holds and disburses the funds.
How large are typical San Francisco County estate balances?
Balances vary widely. Across the 502,894 claimable estates we index from this county, 8,161 are worth $10,000 or more, while many others are smaller. The exact figure for a given estate only appears once a name is matched in the record.
Is there a fee cap on claiming a probated estate?
The 10 per cent cap in Code of Civil Procedure §1582 applies to property reported under §1530, such as bank accounts or insurance proceeds, not to county probated estates. The State Controller confirms there is no fee restriction for investigators on probate estate claims.
What if the estate has already escheated permanently to the State?
A permanently escheated estate cannot be claimed; the State has taken final title. Most estates listed in our index are not in that status, but if a specific case has escheated, that balance is no longer recoverable.
Who can legally claim a deceased relative's estate balance?
That depends on the will, the probate court's distribution order, and California intestate succession rules if there was no will. We do not advise on who is legally entitled to an inheritance; that question belongs to a probate attorney.
Can I search for a relative's name myself first?
Yes. You can run a name through our search before deciding whether to use our recovery service, and there is no obligation to proceed further if nothing turns up or you prefer to file the claim yourself.
Do I need a notary to claim an estate balance?
Claims of $1,000 or more in cash must be notarized, and all securities claims require notarization regardless of value. A California notary may charge at most $15 per signature under Government Code §8211.
Sources
Figures on this page are from our copy of the State Controller’s published file as it stood on 4 October 2026. The State republishes the file weekly, so current totals will differ. Search is always against the latest copy.
How You Are Protected
Our fee is capped at ten per cent of what is recovered by Code of Civil Procedure §1582, and nothing is owed until the State Controller has paid you. If we recover nothing, you owe nothing. Our recovery fee is never asked for up front — it comes out of money the Controller has already paid you. A booking deposit on an in-person appointment is a separate thing, and is credited back against anything you are charged.
California Unclaimed Property Services is a private asset recovery firm. We are not the California State Controller’s Office.
From the knowledge base
How This Actually Works
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