(a) When the State of West Virginia, any of its political subdivisions, the United States or any employer owes wages, salary, pension payments or money allowed for burial expenses to a decedent, upon whose estate there has been no qualification, and the amount owed does not exceed $5,000, the State of West Virginia, any of its political subdivisions, the United States or the decedent's employer, after one hundred and twenty days from the death of the decedent, may pay the amount owed to the decedent’s surviving spouse, if any; and if no spouse survived the decedent, then to the distributees of the decedent under the laws of the State of West Virginia.

(b) When the state Treasurer holds property in accordance with article eight, chapter thirty-six of this code on behalf of a decedent upon whose estate there has been no qualification, and the amount of the property is $5,000 or less, the Treasurer may remit the property to the surviving spouse of the decedent, if any; and if no spouse survives the decedent, then to the distributees of the decedent under the laws of the State of West Virginia. When the state Treasurer holds property in accordance with article eight, chapter thirty-six of this code on behalf of a decedent whose estate is closed or has no present qualification and a valid will or an affidavit naming the decedent’s distributees has been filed with the appropriate probate jurisdiction, the Treasurer may remit the property to the distributees as reflected in the will, or in the absence of a will, as established by the affidavit, in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution.

(c) Payment in accordance with this section is in full discharge and acquittance to all persons whomsoever on account of the property.