Sometimes, knowing the money exists isn't enough.
The Shilan family knew that funds belonging to the Estate of Arthur Shilan were being held through North Carolina's unclaimed-property system.
Arthur had previously lived in Greensboro, North Carolina. His son, Stephen, now lives in Reva, Virginia.
The family had attempted to recover the funds themselves, but the process proved more difficult than they anticipated.
What initially appeared to be a matter of claiming abandoned property became a complicated estate investigation involving court documentation, family coordination, and the establishment of the proper legal authority to recover the funds.
That's when WeFoundYou became involved.
An Estate With an Additional Complication
Arthur's wife, Ellen, passed away just one day before him.
The family had opened an estate for Ellen, but Arthur's estate had not been opened. Because the funds belonged to Arthur, the family needed to establish the appropriate legal authority to act on behalf of his estate.
They had received notices from the Clerk of Court and had made inquiries, but they often found the correspondence and instructions difficult to understand.
They wanted to handle the matter themselves without hiring an attorney, but they were having difficulty making meaningful progress.
During my preliminary investigation, I reviewed available estate documentation and learned that the family was already aware of the funds.
Unlike many of my other investigations, I decided to mail the family a letter before making a personal visit.
When I eventually met with Stephen and his family, I was able to learn more about the situation, explain my services, and discuss the steps necessary to move forward.
They welcomed the opportunity to have someone personally involved in helping them navigate the process.
More Than Just Estate Paperwork
There was another important family consideration.
Stephen's sister lived in a healthcare facility outside North Carolina. Her participation was necessary to complete the required documentation.
Coordinating her signature required additional care, including arranging for an appropriate witness to verify her signature in light of her circumstances and the facility's requirements.
This was not simply a matter of mailing documents and waiting for them to return.
It required communication, coordination, patience, and attention to the requirements of the court.
We continued working through the necessary steps until the appropriate court documentation was obtained.
Eventually, the estate documentation was completed, and the funds were successfully recovered from the safekeeping agency.
The family had finally reached the outcome they had been trying to achieve.
Why Personal Service Made a Difference
During their testimonial, the Shilan family shared something that I think many people who have attempted to recover unclaimed property will understand.
They explained that they had contacted government offices and received email responses and notices from the Clerk of Court. However, they often felt confused about what those communications meant and what they were expected to do next.
They were not necessarily looking for someone to take over their lives or make decisions for them.
They wanted someone who could help them understand the process and keep things moving.
They particularly appreciated that I met them in person rather than communicating exclusively through text messages and email.
They also spoke about my military service and how it influenced their confidence in me. They appreciated knowing that when I committed to doing something, I intended to follow through.
One of their strongest observations was their appreciation for my persistence. They felt that others might have given up when the process became difficult, but I continued working toward a resolution.
That is something I take seriously.
At WeFoundYou, we understand that behind every unclaimed asset is a person, a family, and often a story that deserves attention.
Before We Found You
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The family knew funds belonging to Arthur Shilan's estate existed.
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Arthur had passed away just one day after his wife, Ellen.
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The family had opened Ellen's estate but not Arthur's.
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They had attempted to navigate the process themselves.
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Court notices and instructions had left them uncertain about the next steps.
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Coordinating participation from a family member living in an out-of-state healthcare facility presented another challenge.
After We Found You
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We reviewed the available estate information.
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We met with the family personally and explained our services.
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We helped coordinate the necessary estate documentation.
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We arranged for appropriate witness verification for the family member's signature.
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We obtained the necessary court documentation.
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The funds were successfully recovered from the safekeeping agency.
Watch the Shilan Family Share Their Experience
Their experience is a reminder that recovering unclaimed property can involve much more than submitting a claim form.
Sometimes it requires investigating an estate, understanding family circumstances, coordinating documentation, and staying involved when the process becomes difficult.
We don't just look for forgotten assets. We help families navigate the journey to reconnect with them.
Have You Tried to Recover Unclaimed Money Without Success?
Perhaps you already know that money exists.
Perhaps you've contacted the State, received correspondence, or even started the process yourself.
But what happens when the paperwork becomes confusing, an estate needs additional attention, or you simply don't know what to do next?
You don't necessarily have to abandon the effort.
At WeFoundYou.com, we specialize in locating unclaimed assets and helping owners, beneficiaries, and heirs navigate the recovery process.
Sometimes, the difference between knowing money exists and actually recovering it is having someone willing to stay with the process.
WeFoundYou.com — Every forgotten asset has a story.