Widow Recovers $72,000 in Surplus Funds After Learning Her Rights

After losing her husband and facing foreclosure on their longtime home, Maria D. assumed she’d never financially recover. But a surplus fund specialist helped her uncover more than $70,000 left behind from the property’s auction. The funds were held by the court and would have gone unclaimed without timely legal action.

Maria’s story isn’t unique. The Foreclosure Focus is calling for improved outreach to widows, widowers, and adult children, especially in probate-sensitive cases, to help families unlock funds they may not know exist.

Thousands of dollars are sitting unclaimed in Palm Beach County, and residents may only have until September 3, 2024, to claim what’s rightfully theirs. The Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s Office is urging the public to check for uncashed checks, refunds, juror payments, civil bond deposits, and other financial assets that were collected before January 1, 2023.

“Unclaimed funds often belong to individuals who moved, changed banks, or simply forgot about a check. But if these funds aren’t claimed in time, they’ll be turned over to the state permanently,” said a representative from The Foreclosure Focus. “It’s critical that Palm Beach County residents act now.”

🔍 Search the official list of unclaimed checks and registry funds here:
👉 mypalmbeachclerk.com/unclaimed

Key Deadlines and Claim Instructions

🗓️ Deadline to file a claim:
📍 In-person: By Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.
📩 Electronic filing: By 5:00 p.m. on the same day

Claims submitted after the deadline will not be processed, and the funds will be forfeited to the State of Florida.

✅ You do not need a third-party company to claim your money—there is no fee to file directly with the court.

📄 To file a claim:

• Contact the appropriate department listed below
• File a motion to disburse funds (if required)
• Submit your request via the 15th Judicial Circuit’s online system

Claim Contacts by Fund Type:

• Criminal Cash Bonds: Shamane Tuff, (561) 355-6490
• Juror Checks: Diane McCarthy, (561) 355-6207
• Other Outstanding Checks: Amanda Hayles, (561) 355-6271
• Legal Records: Carol Coloyan, (561) 355-4169
• Civil Deposits & Registry: Lisa Spann, (561) 355-4834

📬 Mail claims to:
Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
Attention: Unclaimed Funds – Circuit Civil Dept.
205 N Dixie Hwy, Room 3.2300
West Palm Beach, FL 33401

CFO Jimmy Patronis Encourages Residents to Act

In addition to local funds, Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis is encouraging all Floridians to search the state database at FLTreasureHunt.gov. Over $2.5 billion has been returned since 2017, with new auctions taking place regularly—including the Unclaimed Property Auction on August 24, 2024, in West Palm Beach.

💎 Items include unclaimed valuables such as diamond rings and vintage watches—proceeds benefit Florida’s education fund, while owners can still claim the cash value of their items at any time.

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Don’t Wait — Check Before It’s Too Late

The Foreclosure Focus reminds residents that unclaimed money can often surface after foreclosure proceedings, tax deed sales, or other legal actions. We help heirs and property owners recover surplus and unclaimed funds left behind in court-managed accounts.

📞 Need help with a court surplus claim? Call (561) 941-4853
📧 Email us at [email protected]
🌐 Explore resources at: www.theforeclosurefocus.com

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Your Partner in Surplus Recovery and Real Estate Justice

At The Foreclosure Focus, we specialize in educating property owners, heirs, and investors about Florida’s foreclosure and tax deed systems. Our legal partners can assist in recovering surplus funds, clearing title issues, and protecting your equity from being lost in red tape.

📍 500 S Australian Ave, Unit 600, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
📞 Call: (561) 941-4853
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 https://theforeclosurefocus.com