How recovering your surplus funds works — with us or without us.
There’s no magic here. Below is the exact process, the same whether you hire us or do it yourself. We’d rather you understand it fully than trust us blindly.
What “surplus funds” are
When a property is sold at a tax sale or foreclosure auction, sometimes it sells for more than the taxes or mortgage owed. That extra amount is called surplus funds (also “excess proceeds” or “overage”). Under [STATE] law, it belongs to the former owner — or, if they’ve passed away, their heirs. The county holds it, often for a limited time, then it can be turned over to the state permanently.
Step 1 — Verify it’s real
Call your county’s office (the office that held the sale) and ask about surplus funds for your case number. We’ll give you that number — always. Confirm the amount and that it’s still unclaimed. Do this first, every time, with any company that contacts you.
Step 2 — Decide how you want to claim it
Two honest paths:
Do it yourself — free. The county explains their forms. You gather notarized affidavits, certified documents (like a deed, and for heir claims a certified death certificate and proof of heirship), file the claim, and follow up until the check is issued. Our free guide walks through all of it. Cost: your time, plus notary/certified-copy fees (usually $100–$200).
Have us handle it. We prepare every document, [our partner attorney files the claim where a court petition is required,] and we chase every follow-up until the county mails your check.
Step 3 — Paperwork
Typical requirements (varies by county):
- County claim form
- Notarized affidavit of ownership/identity
- Government photo ID
- Proof you owned the property at the time of sale
- W-9
- Heir claims also need: certified death certificate, proof of heirship (letters testamentary/administration, or an heirship affidavit), and sometimes an opened probate estate.
Step 4 — Filing and waiting
Claims take roughly [X–X] months. Some require a petition filed in court. The county reviews, approves, and disburses. We keep you updated at each step; you can also call the county yourself anytime.
Step 5 — You get paid
The county sends your check (or a court orders disbursement). If you hired us, our [XX]% fee comes only out of the recovered funds — you never write us a check and never pay anything if we don’t recover the money.