In any action or proceeding pending in a court of record, if it is made to appear to the court that any person entitled to all or a part of the proceeds of property sold in that action or proceeding is unknown or is a nonresident and not represented in the action or proceeding or that the person entitled cannot, at the time, definitely be ascertained, the probate court may appoint a trustee to whom the notes and mortgages for the unpaid part shall be made, delivered, and paid and to receive, hold, and manage the proceeds or part of the proceeds. The trustee shall collect the unpaid part of the proceeds of the property sold, by action or otherwise, and shall pay over that fund only on the order of the probate court appointing the trustee.

Payment to the trustee shall be a bar to any claim thereafter made by any person and the persons or corporations paying the money in no case shall be required to see to the application of the money paid.

If a person entitled to any portion of the money held by the trustee fails for seven or more years after the trustee's appointment to make claim to the money and to present the proof necessary to entitle the person to the money, the prosecuting attorney of the county in which the trustee was appointed shall collect it, with the interest accrued on the money, from the trustee and pay it into the county's treasury, to be placed to the credit of the general fund.

Upon application to the probate court that appointed the trustee and presentment of the proof necessary to entitle the person to the money, the court shall order the payment of the money to the person in whole or part, less the costs of collection by the prosecuting attorney. The person, on the judge's certificate, shall be given a warrant for the money by the county auditor.

Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.52, SB 124, §1, eff. 1/13/2012.

Effective Date: 10-01-1953 .