Season 2 Episode 44: Why Some Addresses Have Hidden Money (And How to Check Yours)

Episode Summary: Could a forgotten power bill from a co-op be holding money that rightfully belongs to you or your loved ones? In this episode of Thoughtful Planning, Honey explains how capital credits from electric cooperatives work, why they matter, and how they can go unnoticed for years. She shares her personal experience of moving frequently as a military family and how failing to document known co-op balances could have left her family in the dark. Learn the questions to ask, what to document, and how to protect this often-overlooked piece of your estate plan.

Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only. Please consult a local professional for specific guidance for your needs.

Essential Question: What capital credit accounts might be quietly building in the background? And have you made it clear enough that your family would know how to find and claim them if needed?

Episode Highlights:

• How co-op electricity providers return profits to customers as capital credits
• Why your co-op may owe you money even years after you've moved
• The $600 Honey and Santiago have in capital credits across two homes in Fargo
• What a POD (payable on death) form is and how it helps
• What to document: co-op name, contact info, account number, payout policy, balance, and more
• The importance of annual follow-up and setting reminders
• Why some co-ops don’t offer beneficiary forms (and what to do about it)

Advice from Host: Start by searching your former city or state and “+ electric cooperative” to see if you’ve been served by one. Then call or visit the co-op’s site to look for capital credit policies. Ask if they offer a beneficiary form and document everything clearly. Share this information with your executor or a trusted family member. Lastly, add an annual reminder to follow up, especially if the credits are not immediately payable.

Conclusion: It’s not just the big accounts or legal documents that shape your legacy. Even money sitting in a co-op account can matter when it comes to helping your family avoid confusion. Documenting your capital credits ensures your loved ones don’t miss what’s already yours.

Resources Shared:

• Unclaimed Property – Texas Comptroller
  If a co-op can’t reach you, capital credits may be turned over to the state.
  🔗 ⁠https://claimit.texas.gov⁠

• MissingMoney.com
  Double-check for any co-op credits that may have already been turned over to the state.
  🔗 ⁠https://www.missingmoney.com⁠

Connect with Thoughtful Planning Hosts, Santiago & Honey:

Website: ⁠https://www.legacytoolkit.com/podcast⁠

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/legacytoolkitwithsantiagoandhoney⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/legacy-toolkit⁠

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