MI · PropVault

Recover Your Michigan Surplus Funds

Rafaeli v. Oakland County (MI Sup Ct 2020) created large backlog of valid claims. Wayne County dedicated portal at waynecountyforeclosureclaims.com. Hard annual deadlines apply — calendar them. No statutory fee cap but courts scrutinize unreasonable fees.

Attorney Requirement

Not Required

License Requirement

None

Claim Deadline

1 year from sale date

Fee Cap

No statutory cap

Direct Disbursement to Agent

No — paid to owner; agent collects per agreement

Recover Your Michigan Surplus Funds How It Works

No attorney required — agents can file directly — MCL 211.78t: no attorney required. Claimant (or agent on behalf of claimant) files a notarized Notice of Intent by July 1 (Wayne/Oakland) or March 31 (some counties). Court then authorizes disbursement. Process is administrative, not litigious.

State Guide

How Surplus Funds Work in Michigan

When a property is sold at a Michigan tax or foreclosure sale for more than what was owed, the excess amount is called "surplus funds."
Under Michigan 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.
Michigan is an agent-friendly state — a licensed surplus recovery agent can file your claim without requiring an attorney.
There is no statutory cap on agent fees in Michigan; we charge a reasonable contingency fee with no upfront cost.
After your claim is verified, Michigan 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 Michigan 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

Michigan Deadlines Are Hard and Final

In Michigan, 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 Michigan Surplus Funds