Transparency
We disclose our fee structure upfront before you sign anything. No hidden charges, no surprise deductions, no fine print designed to confuse. You know exactly what you'll receive before we begin.
About Recovered Surplus
We're dedicated to reuniting former property owners with the surplus funds that are legally theirs.
Our Mission
Every year, counties across America sell properties at tax sales, foreclosure auctions, and government proceedings. When these properties sell for more than what is owed, the excess — known as surplus funds — legally belongs to the former property owner.
The problem? Most people never find out. Counties are not required to make significant efforts to locate former owners. Notices get sent to old addresses. Certified letters go unclaimed. And billions of dollars sit in government accounts, uncollected and often unknown.
Recovered Surplus was founded on a simple principle: no one should lose money simply because they didn’t know it was there. We bridge the gap between former property owners and the funds they are owed, handling every step of the recovery process so our clients don’t have to navigate the bureaucracy alone.
A Constitutional Right
In May 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark unanimous ruling in Tyler v. Hennepin County, Minnesota that transformed surplus funds recovery across the country. The case involved Geraldine Tyler, a 94-year-old woman whose condominium was seized over a $15,000 tax debt and sold for $40,000 — with the county keeping the entire amount.
The Court ruled this practice unconstitutional, establishing that surplus funds from property sales are the rightful property of the former owner.
“The Takings Clause does not permit the government to confiscate more property than it is owed.”
This ruling means that if your property was sold by a government entity for more than what you owed, the surplus is constitutionally yours. Many states have since updated their laws to make it easier for former owners to claim these funds — but the process still requires navigating county offices, filing specific paperwork, and meeting strict deadlines.
That is where we come in. We handle the legal and administrative complexity so you can focus on what matters.
Our Values
Integrity
We only take cases we believe we can win. If our research shows there are no funds in your name, we tell you honestly rather than stringing you along. Our reputation depends on doing the right thing.
Compassion
Many of our clients are going through difficult times — loss of a home, loss of a loved one, financial hardship. We treat every person with dignity and patience throughout the entire process.
Our Qualifications
Recovered Surplus operates as a licensed surplus funds recovery firm. We are fully bonded and insured, providing our clients with an additional layer of protection and peace of mind throughout the recovery process.
Our contingency-based model means we only earn a fee when we successfully recover funds for you. This aligns our interests directly with yours — we are motivated to recover every dollar possible, as quickly as possible, because our compensation depends on it.
Licensed surplus recovery specialists
Fully bonded and insured
Contingency-based fee structure
No upfront costs or retainers
Nationwide county-level coverage
Transparent fee agreements