Unclaimed Property Law General Provisions

Part 3, Title 10, Chapter 1 of the Code of Civil Procedure deals with unclaimed property in California. Article 1 concerns definitions.

Section 1300 defines the following terms: “property,” “unclaimed property,” “escheat,” “permanent escheat,” “Controller,” “Treasurer,” and “domicile.”

Section 1301 specifies that a reference to a section refers to a section of this code and a reference to an article refers to an article of the chapter of this title in which the reference is made; and a reference to a chapter refers to a chapter of this title.

Article 2 deals with purpose and scope. 

Section 1305 provides that it is the purpose of this title to provide for the receipt, custody, investment, management, disposal, escheat and permanent escheat of various classes of unclaimed property, to the possession of which the State is, or may become, entitled under the provisions of this title or under other provision of law.

Section 1306 explains that the provisions of this title do not apply to money or other property held by the State or any officer as trustee or bailee under the terms of an express contract to which the State or any officer is a party.