Hello and thank you in advance for your help. Within the last 9 months I was notified that I was a beneficiary to some mineral rights in Brazos, Texas. I signed a new lease agreement with a landman and was given a check. At the time he told me that the land had been drilled on some time ago and that there was money that had been left unclaimed as no one knew who owned the mineral rights. Does anyone know how I go about claiming this money? All the paperwork has been filed about 3 months ago, but I have no idea where to begin. From what he told us there is a substantial amount of money that is unclaimed but I’m in California so it’s not easy for me to research. Thanks!!
Start at the Texas unclaimed property site. Texas Unclaimed Property mk
You will need to go to the Unclaimed Property site for the state. Here’s the link for Texas: https://claimittexas.org
Depending on where your prior relative was based (if any prior relative was receiving funds previously), and where the company making the payments is located (may be other than Texas), you will want to check those states as well. Just google “unclaimed property” and the state, and you can then search for that information. The supporting documentation for each state is different, so you’ll need to see what they require you to submit before releasing the funds. Good luck!
You will also need to contact the company that is operating the wells. If you do not know what company that is, post your legal description here and one of us will look it up for you.
In addition, check the unclaimed funds in Delaware. Occasionally, they end up there if the operator is domiciled in Delaware and they use that state as the last resort.
I was recently told (by the current operator) that there were escheat funds submitted to Delaware by the previous operator. I find nothing on the unclaimed funds in Delaware. Have called and no one will talk to me. These are for my mom and I have the POA. Delaware representative said that they do not talk to the POA’s so my mom would have to call (she is 89 and forgets) or wait until the will. Anyone have suggestions or know someone who could help.?
Let me see now. Delaware will only talk **on the phone **to your mother. Or, specifically, someone on the phone who says she is your mother.
I"m sure there is a solution here somehow, if we could just figure it out.
Contact the previous operator if they are still in business and confirm that the funds were submitted unto which state and when under which name. Then follow that trail. One would think that the POA would be sufficient. We have recovered many sets of funds with the proper documentation and never needed a phone call. I would try Delaware again and hope you get a different representative or ask for a supervisor. The reason for a POA is because someone is unable to handle their affairs. Also check the state of residence for your mom.
So I’ve called the Brazos county clerk who has no record of the person who left me the mineral rights. She told me to call the operator who appears to be out of business. Menard Energy Corp. they appear to have been based in Texas but I can find no information on them. I’m very confused as the land man gave me the original lease that was signed by the receiver, the Brazos county clerk. The name of my relative is clearly listed along with a cause number stating all Monies would be given to the court until my relative or his heirs could be found. I’m a bit concerned that they have no record of this and wasn’t even asked for the cause number when I called. I’ve also checked the unclaimed funds website and nothing comes up. The original lease was signed by the county clerk in 1994 would the passing of time make the records unavailable?
Why don’t ou do a records search for that count with your relatives name and then pull it? I tried to provide two websites that you could use but this site will not allow me to suggest them. Weird.
I get what you are saying…I thought the same thing.
The well was drilled in 2014 and sold in 2018. Escheat funds were reported for 2020-2021 and 2022 . I was given an account number supposedly used when reporting the escheat funds to Delaware. Nothing shows on Delaware’s unclaimed funds so I can not click to try to claim. I also tried email and am just getting passed along. Yes, POA because she is 89 and forgetting.
When a new operator takes over the well do all the escheat funds transfer with it? or do I also need to contact the original operator?
Tresgale not sure about your situation but our wells were drilled in 1994-1999 with money supposedly being put into account with court. When they wanted to drill again this year a landman was able to track me down as an heir. We signed a new lease and we’re paid but the landman told me that I’d need to go to the court and try to claim back the money from the 90’s. Kind of sounds like a similar situation.
William thanks for you suggestion. I did try to search court records using the records number listed on the original lease. Nothing comes up. Do you know where exactly I’d search by his name? Thanks so much for you help!
www.TexasFile.com Try this welbsite. Search under the operator name (but they might have used another company to lease for them), Also try the name of the person who left you the rights and your name. Sometimes takes some detective work. Also try the county of residence of the person who left you the rights. Any probate is filed in the original county. It is also supposed to be filed in the county where the minerals actually are, but that does not always happen.
Try the Texas RailRoad Commission website and look up the well name. There may be a record of operators there.
There was a Menard Energy Corp. listed on Bizapedia. A name and address are listed there. Looks like they have been dissolved.
I’ve searched all recommended sites and can find no records. I did find my current lease as well as the name of the person whom my relative inherited the rights from. It’s like he’s just been removed from the equation. I’m getting a bit nervous as I can find nothing stating these funds exist even thou the landman provided me with the signed lease from the county clerk in 1994. I’m thinking I’m going to need to hire a lawyer as I’m in California and these rights are in Brazos Texas. Any referrals would be greatly appreciated.
The directories tab above has several very good Texas attorneys.
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