Georgia § 44-12-201 - When undistributed dividends and distributions of business associations presumed abandoned; when intangible interest in business associations presumed abandoned.
Full text of Georgia Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 44-12-201 — When undistributed dividends and distributions of business associations presumed abandoned; when intangible interest in business associations presumed abandoned., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 44-12-201. When undistributed dividends and distributions of business associations presumed abandoned; when intangible interest in business associations presumed abandoned.
Pursuant to Code Section 44-12-193, any dividend, profit, distribution, interest, payment on principal, or other sum held or owing by a business association for or to its shareholder, certificate holder, member, bondholder, or other security holder, or a participating patron of a cooperative, who has not claimed it, corresponded in writing concerning it, or otherwise indicated an interest as evidenced by a memorandum or other record on file with the association within five years after the date prescribed for payment or delivery is presumed abandoned. Pursuant to Code Section 44-12-193, any intangible interest in a business association, as evidenced by the stock records or membership records of the association, is presumed abandoned if the interest in the association is owned by a person who for more than five years has neither claimed a dividend or other sum referred to in subsection (a) of this Code section nor corresponded in writing with the association and the association does not know the location of the owner at the end of such five-year period. With respect to such interest, the business association shall be deemed the holder. All intangible property, including but not limited to securities, principal, interest, dividends, or other earnings thereon, less any lawful charges, held by a business association; federal, state, or local government or governmental subdivision, agency, or entity; or any other person or entity, regardless of where the holder may be found, if the owner has not claimed such property or corresponded in writing with the holder concerning the property within five years after the date prescribed for payment or delivery by the issuer unless the holder is a state that has taken custody pursuant to its own unclaimed property laws, in which case no additional period of holding beyond that of such state is necessary pursuant to this subsection, is presumed abandoned and subject to the custody of this state as unclaimed property if: The last known address of the owner is unknown; and The person or entity originating or issuing the intangible property is this state or any political subdivision of this state or is incorporated, organized, created, or otherwise located in this state. The provisions of paragraph (2) of this subsection shall not apply to property which is or may be presumed abandoned and subject to the custody of this state pursuant to any other provision of law containing a dormancy period different from that prescribed in paragraph (2) of this subsection. The provisions of this subsection shall apply to all property held on April 13, 1992, or at any time thereafter, regardless of when such property became or becomes presumptively abandoned. Pursuant to Code Section 44-12-193, any dividends or other distributions held for or owing to a person at the time the stock or other security to which they attach are presumed abandoned also shall be presumed abandoned as of the same time. For the purposes of subsections (a) and (b) of this Code section, a record of the sending of a federal Internal Revenue Service Form 1099, or its equivalent, to the persons enumerated in those subsections and a record of its not being returned by the United States Postal Service, or its successor, shall be an indication of interest. (Code 1981, § 44-12-201 , enacted by Ga. L. 1990, p. 1506, § 1; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1237, § 7.) Code Commission notes. - Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 1990, a comma was inserted following "the association" near the beginning of the first sentence of subsection (b). Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 1992, "April 13, 1992," was substituted for "the effective date of this subsection" in paragraph (b)(4).
Source: official Georgia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia § 44-12-201
What does Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 44-12-201 cover?
Section 44-12-201 ("When undistributed dividends and distributions of business associations presumed abandoned; when intangible interest in business associations presumed abandoned.") is part of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the codified statutory law of Georgia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Georgia § 44-12-201?
A common citation format is "Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 44-12-201" (Georgia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Georgia law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Georgia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Georgia attorney.
How does Georgia § 44-12-201 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Georgia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Georgia.