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Last Updated: October 2026
These Terms of Service govern the unclaimed property and surplus funds recovery services offered by Friedman CMA ("Company," "we," "us"). Using this website or requesting a complimentary audit does not create an engagement. Services begin only once you sign a written recovery agreement authorizing Friedman CMA to act on your behalf for a specific claim. Our services are provided on a performance-based basis — no fee is charged unless funds are successfully recovered for you.
Friedman CMA assists individuals and businesses in identifying unclaimed property and surplus funds held by government agencies, and in preparing, filing, and tracking the claims required to recover them. This includes funds reported to the Illinois State Treasurer, the California State Controller, and other state unclaimed property programs — such as dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance payouts, security deposits, uncashed dividends, and surplus funds arising from foreclosure or tax sale proceedings.
Our role is administrative and advisory. We research records, prepare claim packages, gather and submit supporting documentation, and communicate with the relevant agency until a determination is issued. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal representation or legal advice, and we do not provide tax or investment advice. Where a claim requires legal representation, notarization, probate, or court action, we will tell you and, where appropriate, refer you to a licensed attorney in your state.
We do not control agency processing times, documentation requirements, or outcomes. Agencies may reject, reduce, or take extended time to decide any claim.
Our fee is a pre-agreed percentage of the amount actually recovered and is disclosed in writing before any claim is filed. There are no upfront fees, retainers, or hourly charges, and no fee is earned unless funds are recovered and turned over to you. Any fee is subject to the limits imposed by the unclaimed property laws of the state holding the funds, and the applicable limit will be reflected in your agreement. You are responsible for any third-party costs you choose to incur, such as notary services or certified copies of records.
You agree to provide accurate and complete information and documentation, to respond promptly to requests from us or from the agency, and to confirm that you are the rightful owner of the property or are otherwise legally entitled to claim it. Providing false, incomplete, or misleading information may result in termination of the engagement, denial of the claim, and potential legal liability. You agree to tell us if you have already filed a claim yourself or engaged another party for the same property.
Your signed agreement authorizes Friedman CMA to act on your behalf solely for the claim described in it. You may revoke that authorization at any time by written notice. If you revoke after a claim has been filed and the funds are subsequently recovered, the fee stated in your agreement may still apply for work performed prior to revocation.
Friedman CMA operates as a licensed unclaimed property finder under the Illinois Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act, License No. 2026-180401 issued by the Office of the Illinois State Treasurer, and as a registered investigator with the California State Controller for unclaimed property recovery. We comply with the disclosure, agreement, and fee requirements of the states in which we operate. Additional disclosures appear on our Disclaimers page.
Friedman CMA makes no guarantee, representation, or warranty that any property exists, that a claim will be accepted, or that any specific amount will be recovered. Any estimate or figure shared during an inquiry is preliminary and based on information available at the time.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Friedman CMA's total liability arising out of or relating to the services is limited to the fees actually paid to us for the claim at issue. We are not responsible for delays, errors, decisions, or requirements of third parties, including government agencies, courts, financial institutions, notaries, or attorneys.
We use the information and documents you provide only to evaluate and pursue your claim, and we handle that information as described in our Privacy Policy. We may retain claim files for the period required by applicable state law.
We may update these Terms from time to time. The version in effect when you sign an engagement governs that engagement. Continued use of this website after an update constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to conflict-of-law rules. Any dispute shall be resolved in the state or federal courts located in Cook County, Illinois, unless applicable state unclaimed property law requires otherwise.
For questions regarding these Terms, contact us via the Contact page.