Brown Surplus Recovery LLC
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CA · PropVault

Recover Your California Surplus Funds

Some counties cap third-party agent fees; verify fee schedule before signing agreements

Attorney Requirement

Not Required

License Requirement

None

Claim Deadline

1 year from sale date

Fee Cap

10% maximum

Direct Disbursement to Agent

No — paid to owner; agent collects per agreement

Recover Your California Surplus Funds How It Works
No attorney required — agents can file directly — County-administered claim process; attorney needed for court-ordered distributions or disputes

State Guide

How Surplus Funds Work in California

  • When a property is sold at a California tax or foreclosure sale for more than what was owed, the excess amount is called "surplus funds."
  • Under California law, those surplus funds legally belong to the former property owner — not the county.
  • Counties hold these funds for a limited time: you have 1 year from sale date to file a claim.
  • California is an agent-friendly state — a licensed surplus recovery agent can file your claim without requiring an attorney.
  • California law caps the agent fee at 10% of recovered funds — protecting you by law.
  • After your claim is verified, California counties typically process disbursements within several months.
  • We handle all paperwork, follow-up, and county communications at no upfront cost — you only pay if we recover funds.

No Upfront Cost

Ready to claim your California funds?

We work on a contingency basis — you only pay if we recover money for you. Get a free, no-obligation review today.

Start My Free Claim Review
No upfront cost Contingency only We handle all paperwork

California Deadlines Are Hard and Final

In California, unclaimed surplus funds are forfeited to the county after 1 year from sale date. There are no extensions — the sooner you contact us, the better your chances of a full recovery.

Recover Your California Surplus Funds