Independent · not a recovery company Public-record guide · Updated 2026-06-06
Surplus funds by state

Your state’s surplus-funds deadline and process

Foreclosure surplus and tax-sale overage laws are set state by state — even county by county. Use the finder to see how it works where your property was sold, then confirm the exact deadline with that court or county before you act.

State Surplus Claim Finder

See how to claim your surplus — by state

Pick your state and the type of sale. We’ll show the claim route, the deadline (with the statute where we’ve verified it), where the money goes if it’s left unclaimed, and a free do-it-yourself checklist.

Type of sale

Educational tool — not legal advice. Nothing you select leaves your device.

Statute-verified examples

States we’ve confirmed against the statute

These deadlines were checked against the cited law for this guide. Always re-confirm with the court/county — statutes change.

StateTypeDeadline / processStatute
California Mortgage (trustee sale) 30 days to claim after the trustee’s notice (sent within 30 days of the sale); court decides if priority is unclear after 90 days. Civ. Code §2924j
Florida Mortgage foreclosure Owner of record (at lis pendens) claims with the clerk; unclaimed surplus is reported to the state 1 year after the sale. Fla. Stat. §45.032
Florida Tax-deed sale 120 days from the clerk’s notice, then handled as unclaimed property (ch. 717). Fla. Stat. §197.582
Texas Tax sale (excess proceeds) File a petition before the 2nd anniversary of the sale, or the excess goes to the taxing units. Tax Code §34.04

Don’t see your state? The finder gives the general process for every state plus a link to its unclaimed-property office. We add statute-verified entries over time.

Deadlines are the thing people miss

The single most common reason former owners lose their surplus is a missed deadline. The money doesn’t vanish — it’s moved to the state as unclaimed property — but recovering it then is slower and harder. Find your deadline and act before it. See the step-by-step claim guide →

Questions

Surplus funds by state — FAQ

Which states have the shortest deadline to claim surplus funds?
Deadlines vary widely. Some are measured in days from a notice (California gives claimants 30 days after the trustee’s notice; Florida tax-deed claims are 120 days from the clerk’s notice), while others run a year or two. Because rules change and differ by county, always confirm your exact deadline with the court or county that handled the sale.
Does unclaimed surplus go to the state?
Usually yes. If no one claims the surplus within the state’s window, it is typically turned over to the state’s unclaimed-property (escheat) program. You can often still claim it there for free — but it’s easier to claim before it’s transferred.
How do I find my state’s surplus funds process?
Start with the trustee, county clerk, court, or treasurer that conducted the sale, and check your state’s official unclaimed-property database. The finder above points you to the right office and your state’s unclaimed-property site.
Why don’t you show a specific deadline for my state?
For YMYL accuracy, we only show a specific deadline where we’ve confirmed it against the statute. For other states we give the general process and tell you to verify the exact deadline with your county — because guessing a legal deadline could cost you the money.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Surplus-funds rules vary by state and county and change over time. Verify your deadline and process with the court, county, or a licensed attorney. Sources on our sources page.