Surplus Funds Recovery
Money left over after a property sale may still be yours.
When a home sells at a tax or foreclosure auction for more than the debt owed, the extra money is held by the county or court — waiting on a claim. Honorable Asset Recovery finds it, proves it's yours, and files for it.
- $0
- Up-front cost to you
- 1–3 yrs
- Typical claim deadline
- 60–120
- Days for a clean claim
The Basics
Understanding surplus funds
A county sells a property to satisfy unpaid taxes, or a lender forecloses to satisfy a mortgage. At auction, the property often sells for far more than the amount owed. The debt, interest, and administrative costs get paid first — and whatever remains is surplus.
Those funds sit in a government or trustee account, unclaimed, until someone with legal standing files for them. Miss the statutory deadline and the money is usually gone for good. That's why knowing the process — and the timeline — matters.
Property sold at tax sale
The sale price exceeded the taxes, penalties, and fees owed — leaving excess proceeds behind.
Heir of a former owner
The owner has passed away and the surplus is still unclaimed by the estate or heirs.
Foreclosure overage
A mortgage or HOA foreclosure sold for more than the debt, and the balance is held by the trustee or court.
How It Works
The recovery process, step by step
Every claim we handle follows the same six stages. You always know which stage you're in and what we need from you.
- 01
Records Research
We pull the sale record, deed history, and county disbursement report to confirm a surplus exists and calculate the amount still held by the court or treasurer.
- 02
Free Claim Review
We walk you through what we found: how much is being held, who is entitled to it, the filing deadline in your county, and exactly what happens next. No cost, no obligation.
- 03
Verifying Entitlement
We establish your legal standing as the former owner, heir, or lienholder — gathering ID, deeds, death certificates, or probate paperwork where needed.
- 04
Preparing the Claim
Your claim package is assembled and reviewed for accuracy: petition, affidavits, proof of identity, chain of title, and any notarized documents the jurisdiction requires.
- 05
Filing & Advocacy
We file with the county, court, or trustee holding the funds and handle follow-up, objections, competing claims, and hearings so you aren't chasing clerks and deadlines.
- 06
Disbursement to You
Once the claim is approved, funds are released. You are paid your share, and our fee is only collected from the recovery — never up front.
What To Expect
A typical claim timeline
Timelines vary by jurisdiction and by how complex the ownership history is. This is what a straightforward claim usually looks like.
Days 1–7
Records research and free claim review
Weeks 2–4
Entitlement documents gathered and notarized
Weeks 4–6
Claim package filed with the holding office
Weeks 6–16
Review, objections or hearing, then disbursement
Your Protections
How we keep this straightforward
Surplus funds attract bad actors — people who buy claims cheap, ask for a deed, or charge fees before anything is recovered. Here is what we commit to instead.
No up-front cost, ever
Research, records pulls, and the claim review are free. Our fee comes out of the recovery — if nothing is recovered, you owe nothing.
Fee agreed in writing first
You see the exact percentage and terms in a written agreement before a single document is filed. No surprise deductions at disbursement.
We never take your deed
We do not buy your property, your claim, or your interest in it. You stay the claimant and the funds are disbursed to you.
Documents handled carefully
IDs, deeds, and probate records are used only to prove entitlement to the office holding the funds — never sold or shared for marketing.
Not a law firm — and we say so
We prepare and file claims and coordinate with the county, court, or trustee. When a matter needs a licensed attorney, we tell you plainly.
You get status, not silence
You always know which of the six stages your claim is in, what was filed, and what the office holding the funds has said.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Free Claim Review
Find out whether funds are being held in your name
Send us the property address and your name. We'll research the sale record and tell you what we find — including the deadline to file — at no cost.
No up-front fees. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice. Eligibility, deadlines, and requirements vary by state and county.