How It Works
From “they took the house” to “the check arrived.”
Every case is different, but the path is the same. Here is exactly what happens, in order, with nothing hidden — including the parts you can do yourself for free.
The five steps, in order
You tell us what happened
Five minutes by phone or our online form. The property address, roughly when it was sold, and your relationship to it — owner, heir, surviving spouse, or executor. No documents needed yet.
We search the public record — free
We pull the court file or county tax-sale record, confirm whether a surplus exists, estimate the amount, and check whether you appear entitled to it. If there’s no claim to be made, we tell you immediately and you pay nothing.
You see the agreement before signing
One page. Plain English. It states: our fee is 30% of funds actually recovered; you owe $0 if we recover nothing; court costs (rare — usually $0–$400) are advanced by us and deducted from recovery only; you keep a signed copy; you may cancel within 3 business days for a full contract release.
We file and defend the claim
We prepare the motion or petition, gather proof of ownership (deed, estate records, death certificates, divorce decrees), file with the court or county, and respond to competing claims — from buyers, HOAs, municipalities, or the IRS. Where court appearance is required, an independent licensed attorney represents you and bills are paid from recovery, disclosed in advance.
Funds are released — you get paid
When the court or county releases the surplus, the check goes to you or your attorney’s trust account. Our 30% is deducted once, disclosed on the settlement statement you receive. You see the full math. If there is no recovery, there is no invoice — ever.
What We Need From You
Usually just three things
- ✓ A government-issued ID (driver’s license, state ID, or passport).
- ✓ Any document showing your link to the property: deed, closing papers, estate paperwork, divorce decree, or death certificate for the previous owner.
- ✓ Your contact preferences — some clients want a weekly call, some want a text only when something changes. We follow your preference.
What happens if someone else is claiming the same money?
Common competitors: the auction buyer (often claims the full overbid), the HOA or condo association, the city for back fines, or the IRS. We audit every competing claim line by line — inflated buyer fees and padded HOA assessments are common — and we object, in writing and in court if needed, to protect your share.
Realistic timeline
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Free review & records search | 1–3 business days |
| Agreement & document gathering | 1–2 weeks |
| Filing & service | 2–6 weeks |
| Court hearing (if required) | 1–6 months |
| Funds released to you | 2–8 weeks after order |
Timelines vary by county and court backlog. We give you an honest estimate for your specific case after the records search — and we tell you when the court is being slow, not silence you.
You see every document. Every filing, objection, and order is sent to you by email or mail — nothing is signed “on your behalf” without your written approval.
Honest Boundaries
What we don’t do — and what you can do yourself
Things we never do
- ✗ Charge upfront fees, retainers, or “file opening” costs.
- ✗ Guarantee a recovery — no one can.
- ✗ Act as your attorney (we coordinate with independent attorneys when court representation is required).
- ✗ Hide competing-claim deductions or change the fee in writing.
- ✗ Share your personal information — we never sell it, ever.
What you can do yourself — free
- ✓ Request the surplus amount from the court clerk or county treasurer directly.
- ✓ File a claim pro se (without a lawyer) — most clerks have the forms or directions.
- ✓ Search unclaimed-property databases at your state treasurer’s official site (free).
- ✓ Ask the clerk about deadlines in writing — deadlines are the one thing you cannot recover later.
If your case is simple (no competing claims, clear ownership, generous deadline), we will tell you that DIY may be the smart route. We would rather lose a fee than take 30% of money you could recover alone.
Ready to find out?
The review is free, the answers are honest, and the fee is 30% flat — only if you actually get paid.