Some investors have a “set it and forget it” view, intending to let their investments grow until they need to access the money. But if you leave assets untouched and have no contact with the financial institutions holding your accounts for too long, they might be labeled as “dormant,” in which case they must be turned over to the state as abandoned or unclaimed property. While there are mechanisms in place to help you recover these assets, there are also preemptive steps you can take to help you avoid this situation.