2017 Indiana Code
TITLE 32. Property
ARTICLE 34. LOST OR UNCLAIMED PERSONAL PROPERTY
CHAPTER 1. Unclaimed Property Act
32-34-1-46. Fee agreement to locate, deliver, or recover owner's property

     Sec. 46. (a) This subsection does not apply to an owner's agreement with an attorney to file a claim as to identified property or to contest the attorney general's denial of a claim. An agreement by an owner that:

(1) has the primary purpose of paying compensation to locate, deliver, recover, or assist in the recovery of property presumed abandoned under this chapter; and

(2) is entered into not earlier than the date the property was presumed abandoned and not later than twenty-four (24) months after the date the property is paid or delivered to the attorney general;

is void and unenforceable.

     (b) An agreement by an owner that has the primary purpose of locating, delivering, recovering, or assisting in the recovery of property is valid only if:

(1) the fee or compensation agreed upon is not more than ten percent (10%) of the amount collected, unless the amount collected is fifty dollars ($50) or less;

(2) the agreement is in writing;

(3) the agreement is signed by the apparent owner;

(4) the agreement clearly sets forth:

(A) the nature and value of the property; and

(B) the value of the apparent owner's share after the fee or compensation has been deducted; and

(5) the agreement contains the provision set forth in subsection (d).

     (c) This section does not prevent an owner from asserting at any time that an agreement to locate property is otherwise invalid.

     (d) This subsection applies to a person who locates, delivers, recovers, or assists in the recovery of property reported under this chapter for a fee or compensation. An advertisement, a written communication, or an agreement concerning the location, delivery, recovery, or assistance in the recovery of property reported under this chapter must contain a provision stating that, by law, any contract provision requiring the payment of a fee for finding property held by the attorney general for less than twenty-four (24) months is void, and that fees are limited to not more than ten percent (10%) of the amount collected unless the amount collected is fifty dollars ($50) or less.

     (e) Subsections (b)(4) and (d) do not apply to attorney's fees.

     (f) If an agreement covered by this section:

(1) applies to mineral proceeds; and

(2) contains a provision to pay compensation that includes a portion of the underlying minerals or any mineral proceeds not then presumed abandoned;

the provision is void and unenforceable.

     (g) An agreement covered by this section that provides for compensation that is unconscionable is unenforceable except by the owner. An owner who has agreed to pay compensation that is unconscionable, or the attorney general on behalf of the owner, may maintain an action to reduce the compensation to a conscionable amount. The court may award reasonable attorney's fees to an owner who prevails in the action.

[Pre-2002 Recodification Citation: 32-9-1.5-48.]

As added by P.L.2-2002, SEC.19.