Recover the surplus from a Florida tax deed sale
If your Florida property was sold for unpaid property tax, part of the proceeds often belongs to you. We help you claim this tax deed surplus on time, even if you live abroad or inherited the property.
- Winning bid
- 185,000
- Opening bid (taxes, interest, costs)
- − 12,400
- Clerk’s fees
- − 150
- Surplus (USD)
- 172,450
Simplified. Lienholders such as a bank are paid before the owner.
Process under Florida Statutes § 197.582
Tax deed sale
The Clerk of Court auctions the property for unpaid property tax. If the winning bid exceeds the opening bid, a surplus remains.
Surplus notice
The clerk writes to everyone with a recorded interest in the property. The 120 days run from the date of that notice.
Claim
Within the 120 days, you file a sworn, notarized claim with supporting documents.
Review
After the deadline, the clerk has 90 days. It pays out by priority or refers the case to the court.
Payout
Lienholders such as the bank are paid first. The rest goes to the former owner.
If no claim is filed within the deadline, the clerk turns the money over to the Florida Department of Financial Services as unclaimed property. The owner’s right to it continues there.
What we do for you
- Check whether there is a surplus in your case, and how much
- Request the clerk’s file: sale price, lienholders, claims already filed
- Prepare the claim to the requirements of the specific county
- Arrange notarization abroad: notary, US consulate, apostille
- Estates: gather the documents and, where needed, hand over to a Florida attorney
- Stay in contact with the clerk until the money is paid out
You sign the claim yourself, and the clerk pays the money directly to you. We tell you the cost of our support in advance, on request.
Documents to have ready
- The clerk’s surplus notice, or the case or parcel number
- A copy of your passport
- Proof of ownership, e.g. the old deed or tax bills
- If your name changed: marriage certificate
- For an estate: death certificate, will, certificate of inheritance, probate records
- If a company owned the property: register extract and proof of authority
Common questions
I missed the 120 days. Is the money lost?
For lienholders yes, for the former owner no. The owner can still claim with the clerk later. If the money has already gone to the state, you file with the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS), where there is no deadline.
Can you file the DFS claim for me?
Only Florida attorneys, CPAs and private investigators registered with the DFS may act there for a fee. You therefore file yourself, free of charge, at fltreasurehunt.gov. We help you prepare the documents.
A company wrote to me asking for 30 % or more. Do I have to accept?
No. You can file the claim yourself, free of charge. Don’t sign an assignment or a blank power of attorney before you know the surplus amount and which lienholders rank ahead of you.
How long does the payout take?
The clerk only reviews once the 120 days are over. After that it usually takes a few months, depending on the county and your documents. If several people claim, a court decides, which takes longer.
What will your case cost?
Tell us briefly about your situation. You get a fixed-price quote before any work starts.