You can claim it yourself, for free

Checklist: Michigan, money left over after a foreclosure sale

Who holds it: The officer who held the foreclosure-by-advertisement sale (sheriff, undersheriff, deputy, or a person named in the mortgage). If a junior lienholder files a sworn claim, the money goes to the circuit court clerk.

How long: Not researched yet — ask the clerk

How you claim: If no competing claim is filed, ask the person who made the sale for the surplus; it is paid to the mortgagor, heirs or assigns on demand. If a lien claim was filed, the surplus is paid to the circuit court clerk and the court decides after a hearing.

Your deadline: ____________ (confirm it with the clerk)

Steps

1. Find who conducted the sale from the sale notice or deed
2. Make a written demand for the surplus to that officer
3. If a lien claim was filed, the surplus goes to the circuit court clerk; any interested person can ask the court for a hearing
4. The court orders how the surplus is split

Documents

• Proof you are the mortgagor, heir or assign
• Sale details (date, property, who conducted it)

What it costs you

Not researched yet — ask the clerk

If someone offers to do it for you

• A finder who charges you may need to be a licensed professional investigator: ask the clerk.
• Fee limits: Not researched yet — ask the clerk.
• You never need to pay anyone to file.

Official links

• MCL 600.3252 (surplus): https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-600-3252
• MCL 600.3216 (who conducts sale): https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-600-3216