Lost a Family Member? Here's How to Check If You're Entitled to Surplus Funds
Lost a Family Member? Here's How to Check If You're Entitled to Surplus Funds
Losing a loved one is hard enough. But what often follows handling their financial affairs can be just as overwhelming. One opportunity many families don’t know about is the chance to claim surplus funds left behind from a foreclosed property.
If your relative lost their home to foreclosure before they passed away, there could be unclaimed money waiting for their heirs. Here’s how to find out if you qualify and what steps to take to claim what’s rightfully yours.
What Are Surplus Funds?
Surplus funds are the leftover money after a foreclosed property is sold at auction. Once the mortgage, legal fees, and taxes are paid off, any remaining amount becomes surplus funds.
Example:
If the home sold for $220,000, and the total owed debts were $180,000, the leftover $40,000 may belong to the homeowner’s estate, and potentially, to you.
How to Find Out If Surplus Funds Exist
You don’t need to be a lawyer to start your search.
Follow these simple steps:
Locate the County of Foreclosure
Search the Clerk of Court or Public Trustee in the county where the property was located.Search Public Records
Look up the homeowner’s name and property address to find foreclosure sale details.Contact the County or Trustee Office
Provide the deceased’s name, foreclosure date, and address to ask whether surplus funds exist.Request Claim Instructions
If funds are available, request step-by-step instructions to file a claim as an heir.
You’ll likely need:
Death certificate
Proof of your relationship
Government-issued ID
Probate or small estate documents
Who Is Entitled to Surplus Funds?
You may be entitled to claim surplus funds if you’re:
A spouse
A child or grandchild
A sibling
A named beneficiary in a will
A legal next of kin under state inheritance laws
If the estate has a will, it governs who receives the funds. If not, state law will decide through intestate succession.
Not Sure You’re an Heir?
Even if you weren’t named in a will, or if no will exists, you still may qualify.
Using a small estate affidavit or starting a probate case can help establish your legal right to claim.
How Long Do You Have to Claim?
The clock is ticking.
Each state has a statute of limitations, typically ranging from 1–5 years. If you wait too long, the funds may escheat to the state permanently.
Do You Need a Lawyer or Recovery Service?
It’s possible to file a claim on your own, but many families prefer expert guidance.
A reputable surplus recovery company (like us) can:
Verify if funds exist
Help you avoid probate mistakes
File the correct paperwork
Work directly with the court
Charge nothing upfront
Avoid These Common Mistakes
→ Ignoring official notices
→ Missing state deadlines
→ Not filing probate when needed
→ Hiring unverified recovery services that ask for upfront payment
Let Us Help You Move Forward
If you’ve recently lost a loved one and think surplus funds may exist, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
At Heritage Surplus Solutions, we guide heirs through every step, with clarity, transparency, and no upfront cost.
📞 Call us at +1 888-981-9848
📧 Email [email protected]
🌐 Visit heritagesurplus.com
You may have lost a loved one, but you haven’t lost your right to what’s legally yours.
Let’s help you claim it.
