Louisiana · money left over after a tax-deed sale

You can claim it yourself, for free

Who holds it

It depends on who sold the property. After a sheriff's sale to enforce a privately held tax lien certificate: the sheriff, and surplus that cannot be delivered goes into the court's registry. After a parish or city sells adjudicated property, or property to enforce a tax lien it holds: that parish or city.

How long

Sheriff's sale: surplus not claimed within 1 year becomes unclaimed property held by the state Treasury. Parish or city sale: the parish or city holds the excess for 1 year from its notice, which it must send within 30 days of the sale. If no claim reaches it in time, the money goes back to the parish or city.

How you claim

Sheriff's sale: ask the sheriff for your share as owner or, if the money was deposited in the court registry, ask the court where the enforcement suit was filed. Parish or city sale: send that parish or city an affidavit showing your interest in the property and your share, within 1 year of its notice.

If someone offers to do it for you

Fee limits: Not researched yet — ask the clerk.
You never need to pay anyone to file.

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

Who holds it: It depends on who sold the property. After a sheriff's sale to enforce a privately held tax lien certificate: the sheriff, and surplus that cannot be delivered goes into the court's registry. After a parish or city sells adjudicated property, or property to enforce a tax lien it holds: that parish or city.

How long: Sheriff's sale: surplus not claimed within 1 year becomes unclaimed property held by the state Treasury. Parish or city sale: the parish or city holds the excess for 1 year from its notice, which it must send within 30 days of the sale. If no claim reaches it in time, the money goes back to the parish or city.

How you claim: Sheriff's sale: ask the sheriff for your share as owner or, if the money was deposited in the court registry, ask the court where the enforcement suit was filed. Parish or city sale: send that parish or city an affidavit showing your interest in the property and your share, within 1 year of its notice.

Your deadline: ____________ (confirm it with the clerk)

Steps

Find out who sold the property: the sheriff, after a tax lien certificate holder sued, or the parish or city.
After costs and lien and mortgage holders, owners get the rest in proportion to their interest.
Sheriff's sale: claim your share from the sheriff or the court registry within 1 year.
Sheriff's sale only: after 1 year, claim through LaCashClaim.org. Parish or city sale: file your affidavit with the parish or city within 1 year of its notice; after that the money goes back to it.

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.
You never need to pay anyone to file.

Official links

La. R.S. 47:2154 (tax lien auction): https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=631549
La. R.S. 47:2267 (judicial sale proceeds and surplus): https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=1388661
La. R.S. 47:2211 (disposition of proceeds, local-government sales): https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=631587

Source: La. R.S. 47:2154; La. R.S. 47:2267; La. R.S. 47:2211; La. R.S. 47:2154(C)-(D); La. R.S. 47:2241.1. Researched, not yet checked by a lawyer; confirm with the clerk. Not legal advice.