Understanding the process of recovering tax surplus funds can feel overwhelming.

Our comprehensive FAQ section is designed to address your questions and provide clarity. Let us guide you through the complexities with straightforward answers and expert insights, ensuring you’re informed and confident every step of the way.

Title

Ready to get started?

If you’re interested in working with us or would like to ask any more questions, reach out to us!

What is a tax deed sale?

Tax deed sales are property auctions conducted by counties in the state to recoup unpaid taxes and associated fees and interest penalties.

Why did the county sell my property?

If an owner does not pay their property taxes for a single year or more, the county has the right after two years from the year of the unpaid bill to place the property up for auction in a tax deed sale. However, the county is not required to do so and sometimes it is only after many years since the delinquent tax bill that the property is put up for sale at auction.

Why did the county not contact me about my property before the sale?

The county is required to notify the owners of an upcoming sale. However, it is only required to mail notice to the address on file with the tax collector or tax appraiser. Counties are not required to search for a current address or undertake more extensive means to locate a property owner.

Why is there money still remaining after the sale?

The opening bid for each property in a tax deed sale represents the amount of money that the county must recoup–which includes all outstanding taxes, interest, penalties and fees. Any amount beyond that paid by the winning bidder is considered surplus. Surplus monies are held by the county. The owner, along with mortgage holders and other lienholders, are notified by means of addresses on record. Surplus funds are held by the county for one year. Afterwards, they are transferred to the state.

Your Trusted Partner in Tax Auction Surplus Recovery

At Professional Office Solutions, we specialize in recovering tax auction surplus funds for our clients while safeguarding them from unauthorized or improper claims. Counties that hold these surplus funds often lack the expertise and obligation to fully assist rightful owners or claimants, leaving many without proper guidance. Partnering with Professional Office Solutions ensures a smooth, efficient recovery process and maximizes the likelihood of success.

How Did We Reach You?

Our team utilizes advanced internet research techniques and cutting-edge software technologies to locate rightful owners and their family members. Additionally, we leverage information provided by county records to connect with potential clients effectively and accurately.

What Is Required From Me, and What Information Do You Need?

Once you choose Professional Office Solutions to assist with recovering your surplus claim, we handle the process from start to finish. Our team prepares all necessary documents and arranges for a notary in your area to meet with you for formal agreement signing. The notary then returns the documents to us, enabling us to prepare and submit all required paperwork to the county on your behalf.
If probate is required, we engage a specialized attorney to work closely with you and our team to initiate and manage the legal process seamlessly. Your role is simply to provide the necessary information and complete the signing process—we take care of the rest.

What Are Your Fees?

At Professional Office Solutions, we operate on a contingency basis, meaning we are only compensated when we successfully recover your surplus funds. Our fee is a percentage of the recovered amount, as outlined in the agreement with our clients. All costs associated with the recovery process are covered by this percentage, ensuring there are no out-of-pocket expenses for you.

How Long Does It Take to Receive My Funds?

By law, counties are required to observe a mandatory 120-day waiting period after the auction sale and surplus notification before releasing funds. We typically contact clients once this waiting period has concluded. From the time we receive the signed finder’s fee agreement, the recovery process generally takes an additional 30–60 days.

Who bought my property and can I get it back?

Properties are purchased at tax deed auction by individuals, investors and by companies and larger investment firms. Once the winning auction bid is paid, a tax deed is issued by the county and the purchaser becomes the legal owner of the property. If you want to purchase the property back these buyers must be contacted and will want a profit on their investment.

How certain are you that you will recover the surplus?

At Professional Office Solutions, we specialize in navigating the surplus recovery process and work closely with counties conducting tax deed auctions. As we operate on a contingency basis, our success depends entirely on recovering your surplus funds. This structure drives our commitment to efficiency, effectiveness, and achieving successful outcomes for our clients.

What Is Probate, and How Long Does It Take?

The term “probate” originates from the Latin word meaning “to prove.” When the owner of a property is deceased, probate is a court-supervised process required to establish the decedent’s assets and debts, identify rightful heirs (beneficiaries), and distribute assets accordingly.

Counties require a completed probate process and court judgment before releasing surplus funds from tax deed sales to the heirs of a deceased owner. Professional Office Solutions manages this entire process, including engaging a specialized probate attorney to prepare the necessary documents and work with the court.

On average, probate takes one to two months from initiation to submission of the court judgment to the county, depending on the complexity and the number of involved parties.

Can I Obtain the Surplus on My Own?

While it is possible to submit a surplus claim independently in non-probate cases, Professional Office Solutions offers valuable experience and expertise that significantly improve your chances of a successful outcome. We handle the complexities of the process, including document requirements, competing or fraudulent claims, statutory time limits, and other administrative challenges.

By working directly with the county, we manage the entire claims process, address any issues, monitor status changes, and take all necessary steps to ensure you receive the surplus funds owed to you.