Opinion Number

Dear Mr. Napper:

On behalf of the State Treasurer, acting as the Administrator (the "Administrator") under the Louisiana Uniform Unclaimed Property Act (the "Act"), La.R.S. 9:151, et seq., you requested the opinion of this office. Your questions pertain to the authority of the Administrator to enter into a contract with an attorney to enforce the provisions of the Act on a contingency basis, that is, on a percentage of property and funds recovered.

In Meredith v. Ieyoub, 96-1110 (La. 9/9/97), 700 So.2d 478, the Louisiana Supreme Court held that, absent Constitutional or statutory authorization,…