The Foreclosure Focus

Foreclosure is stressful and fast-moving. In the chaos, many homeowners don’t receive clear information about the auction results or what they may be owed. Common reasons people miss out on surplus funds...

If a foreclosed property was owned by someone who passed away, any surplus funds belong to their estate. In that case, surviving heirs may still recover the money, but the process is...

It’s possible to file a surplus claim without an attorney, especially in simple cases. However, many choose to work with legal professionals for these reasons: The process involves motions and legal notices...

As foreclosure rates trend upward, so too does the amount of unclaimed surplus funds sitting in court registries. This often-overlooked outcome of foreclosure sales presents a growing issue in housing and estate...

Surplus funds don’t always go straight to the homeowner. If the foreclosed property had other debts or liens—such as: Second mortgages Judgments HOA dues Unpaid property taxes —those lienholders may be entitled...

When a home sells at a foreclosure auction, the winning bid doesn’t always match the loan amount. If the home sells for more than what was owed—including legal fees and court costs—the...

In West Palm Beach, the process for claiming foreclosure surplus funds is consistent with the rest of Florida. Claims are filed through the Palm Beach County Circuit Court, and the same laws...

Once surplus funds are recovered, the former homeowner can generally use them however they see fit. There are no restrictions on how the funds are used, but common uses include: Paying off...

Recovering surplus funds is not always simple. Here are a few challenges to be aware of: Short Deadlines – In some counties, homeowners only have 60–120 days to file a claim. Multiple...