You can claim it yourself, for free

Checklist: Kentucky, money left over after a tax-deed sale

Who holds it: Master commissioner of the circuit court (holds sale money in escrow and pays it only by court order)

How long: Foreclosures using the KRS 91.481–91.527 procedure: if no one claims within 2 years after the sale, it goes to the state as unclaimed property. Other unpaid sale money is also escheated as unclaimed property.

How you claim: A surplus only arises if a tax lien holder sues to foreclose and the master commissioner sells the property. Ask the circuit court in that case to order the leftover money paid to you.

Your deadline: ____________ (confirm it with the clerk)

Steps

1. Check whether the certificate holder filed a foreclosure suit and the property was sold by the master commissioner.
2. After the court confirms the sale, costs and all tax bills are paid first.
3. Ask the circuit court in that case to order any remainder paid to you.
4. If it was already escheated, claim it from the State Treasury.

Documents

Not researched yet — ask the clerk

What it costs you

Not researched yet — ask the clerk

If someone offers to do it for you

• Fee limits: Not researched yet — ask the clerk.
• No one may charge you a percentage of what's recovered.
• You never need to pay anyone to file.

Official links

• KRS 91.517 Distribution of commissioner's sale proceeds: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=57369
• KRS 134.490 Collection/foreclosure by certificate holders: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=57927
• Master Commissioner Accounting and Procedures Manual (AOC): https://www.kycourts.gov/AOC/Audits/Documents/Master_Commmissioner_Accounting_and_Procedures_Manual.pdf