You can claim it yourself, no finder needed

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

Who holds it: Clerk and Master (chancery court clerk) of the county that held the delinquent tax sale. The money is kept in the court registry.

How long: Not researched yet — ask the clerk

How you claim: File a signed motion to claim excess sale proceeds in the court that ordered the tax sale, under TCA 67-5-2702. Serve it on all parties at least 30 days before the hearing, then attend the hearing.

Your deadline: ____________ (confirm it with the clerk)

Steps

1. Get the tax-sale case and parcel details from the Clerk and Master. Blount County gives out its excess-proceeds list through a public records request.
2. File a signed motion to claim excess sale proceeds and pay the filing fee. Some counties use a verified, notarized form.
3. Serve copies on all parties to the tax-sale case at least 30 days before the hearing.
4. Attend the hearing. Blount County releases funds 30 days after the court's order.

Documents

• Signed motion naming everyone claiming the money and the basis of your claim
• Supporting papers previously used: deed, property tax receipt, mortgage record
• Driver's license or other government photo ID

What it costs you

Court filing fee ($75 in Davidson/Nashville and Blount counties; may vary)

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

• Nashville Clerk & Master: how to claim excess sale proceeds: https://chanceryclerkandmaster.nashville.gov/wp-content/uploads/excess-sale-proceeds-information-sheet-revised-12.30.25.pdf
• Blount County Clerk & Master: Excess Proceeds: https://blounttn.gov/2175/Excess-Proceeds
• Knox County verified motion form: https://knoxcounty.org/trustee/taxsale23/MotionClaimExcessSaleProceedsWithStatute.pdf