Abandonment is the act of intentionally relinquishing, without reservation, a known right without reference to any particular person or purpose. In some jurisdictions, carriers, innkeepers and other designated parties are authorized by statute to sell abandoned or unclaimed freight, baggage or other personal property under specified conditions. These statutes generally require that the property remain unclaimed for a designated period and that notice of the sale be given.
A notice of sale of abandoned property must be given in strict compliance with the terms of the governing statute. Notice of a public sale of unclaimed or abandoned property is typically required to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the sale is to be held.
Most states have enacted legislation providing for the escheat of abandoned and unclaimed property, or giving custody of such property to the state. These statutes generally set forth procedures, whereby the owner may file a claim and obtain restoration of the property within a designated period of time.
