How it works
The plain-English version of where this money comes from, how it can end up being yours, and what we actually do to recover it.
Where the money comes from
When a property is sold at a county tax sale or a foreclosure auction, the sale often brings in more than what was owed in taxes, mortgage debt, and costs. That difference is called a surplus (also “overage” or “excess proceeds”), and by law it belongs to the former owner. Not the county, and not the winning bidder.
The money then moves through three stages:
- The county holds it. After the sale, the surplus sits with the county (often the treasurer, sheriff, or court registry) waiting for the former owner to claim it. Counties typically mail one notice, to the address of the property that was just sold.
- It sits unclaimed. Because the notice rarely reaches anyone, most surpluses are never claimed. They appear only in county records that few people know to search.
- It escheats to the state. After a statutory window (which varies by state), unclaimed surpluses may transfer, “escheat”, to the state's unclaimed property division. Some states preserve your right to claim indefinitely; in others, deadlines or extra court steps can make recovery materially harder, and in the worst cases the right can lapse entirely.
Why acting early matters
The earlier in that chain a claim is filed, the simpler it tends to be: fewer parties, fewer forms, and no risk of a lapsed deadline. Waiting can mean court petitions, competing claims from lienholders, or, depending on the state, losing the right altogether.
To be clear: this is a factual point about how statutes work, not a sales tactic. Where a real deadline applies to your case, we'll name it, cite it, and let you verify it with the county directly.
What we do, step by step
1. Verification (free)
You give us the property details. We check official county records to confirm whether a surplus may exist, how much may be held, and who has standing to claim it. We reply within two business days.
2. Agreement
If funds are verified, we send a plain-English contingency agreement. It states our fee, typically 10 to 20% of the amount recovered, and confirms you pay nothing upfront and nothing if recovery fails.
3. Filing
We prepare the claim package. Where the county or court requires legal filings, an independent licensed attorney in the relevant state handles them. You sign where needed; we handle the rest.
4. Payout
Counties move at their own pace, so this stage often takes months. It stays hands-off for you: we track the claim, chase the follow-ups, and the funds are paid into the account you choose, with our fee coming out of the recovery. Never out of your pocket.
Documents you'll typically need
- Government-issued photo ID
- Proof of ownership or residence at the property: a deed, old property-tax bill, or utility bill
- The signed contingency agreement
- Notarized claim forms where the county requires them (we prepare these; you just sign)
For heir claims, add a death certificate and proof of relationship; some states also ask for probate or heirship documentation. It sounds heavy, but it is paperwork we and our attorney partners deal with routinely, and we tell you exactly which pieces your county needs.
And the do-it-yourself route
You can file a claim yourself, directly with the holding agency, at no cost. Every county has a process for it. If your case is simple and recent, that may genuinely be your best option. We exist for everyone who would rather have specialists carry the process, on terms where we only get paid if it works.