§ 1353.Superior Court Jurisdiction to Determine Title to Money Or Property

For claims outside Section 1352's smaller-dollar administrative process, this section supplies the judicial route. Except as Sections 401 or 1352 otherwise provide, whenever money or property is deposited in the State Treasury under this Title, or is otherwise held by the state for third persons or subject to their rights, the Superior Court of the County of Sacramento has full and exclusive jurisdiction to decide title to that money or property and any claims to it.

If the claim window has not yet closed, the entitled person can file a verified petition in that court -- or wherever Section 401 allows -- setting out their claim or right to the money, property, or proceeds. The petition has to state the facts Section 1355 requires, so far as they apply, and, when the property did not come from a decedent's estate, has to add whatever facts establish a prima facie right or title. Filing the petition triggers the same procedural steps Section 1355 lays out. If the court, after trial, is satisfied of the claimant's right, it issues a sealed certificate to that effect; presenting that certificate lets the Controller draw a warrant for money, or lets a certified copy authorize the state officer holding other property to deliver it to the claimant.