Helping you claim what’s yours
Your property sold at auction. Some of that money may still be yours.
When a foreclosure or tax sale brings in more than the debt owed, the extra is called surplus funds. By law it goes back to the former owner, but only if they file a claim. We find out whether money is waiting for you and handle the claim from start to finish, across New Mexico.
Free review. No upfront cost. You pay nothing unless funds are recovered.
How surplus is calculated
Try your numbersThis is money the county or court may be holding in your name.
An estimate only. The actual amount depends on court and county records, which we pull for you during the free review.
How it works
Most people never hear from anyone that money is owed to them. Claims have deadlines, and the paperwork differs by county. Here is what we do.
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Free case review
Tell us the property address and sale date. We search court dockets and county treasurer records to confirm whether surplus funds exist and how much.
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Sign an agreement
If funds exist, we send a plain written agreement showing our fee as a percentage. Nothing is owed unless the money is paid to you.
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We file the claim
We prepare the petition, gather proof of ownership and identity, and deal with the court or county office. All paperwork is reviewed by a licensed attorney before filing, and we keep you updated at every stage.
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You get paid
Once the claim is approved, the court or county releases the funds. You receive your share, less the agreed fee.
Who may have money waiting
Surplus funds can come from several kinds of forced sales. If you, a spouse, or a relative who has passed away owned a property sold in one of these ways, it is worth checking.
Mortgage foreclosure
A lender foreclosed and the property sold at a sheriff's or trustee's sale for more than the loan balance.
Property tax sale
The county sold the property over unpaid taxes. In many states, any amount above the taxes owed must be returned to the owner.
HOA foreclosure
A homeowners' association foreclosed over unpaid dues, often on a property with significant equity left in it.
Heirs can often claim surplus funds from a sale that happened after the owner's death. We help with the extra documents this requires.
Serving all 33 New Mexico counties
Wherever the sale took place in New Mexico, we can check court and county records for surplus funds in your name.
- Bernalillo
- Catron
- Chaves
- Cibola
- Colfax
- Curry
- De Baca
- Doña Ana
- Eddy
- Grant
- Guadalupe
- Harding
- Hidalgo
- Lea
- Lincoln
- Los Alamos
- Luna
- McKinley
- Mora
- Otero
- Quay
- Rio Arriba
- Roosevelt
- Sandoval
- San Juan
- San Miguel
- Santa Fe
- Sierra
- Socorro
- Taos
- Torrance
- Union
- Valencia
What it costs
We work on contingency. Our fee comes out of the recovered funds, so you never pay out of pocket.
| Case review and records search | Free |
| Filing, court fees, and document costs | Paid by us |
| Recovery fee, only if funds are paid out | A percentage of the recovery, agreed in writing before you sign |
| If no funds are recovered | $0 |
Some states cap fees for surplus recovery. Where a cap applies, we charge no more than the legal limit.
You can file on your own
You have the right to claim surplus funds yourself, directly with the court or county, without paying anyone. Many people choose help because the process involves court filings, deadlines, and proof of ownership.
Whoever you work with, protect yourself:
- Never pay a fee upfront to recover surplus funds.
- Get the fee percentage in writing before you sign.
- Do not sign over your property or claim rights to someone you have not checked out.
- Confirm the amount yourself with the court clerk or county treasurer.
Common questions
What are surplus funds?
When a property is sold at a foreclosure or tax auction, the money first pays off the debt and the costs of the sale. Anything left over is surplus. It is held by the court or county until the rightful owner claims it.
Why didn't anyone tell me about this money?
Notice requirements vary by state, and letters are often sent to the property you no longer live in. Many former owners never learn the funds exist.
Can the county keep my surplus funds if I don’t claim them?
Yes, it can happen. Counties are often not required to track former owners down, and notices usually go to the old property address, which you may have already left. If no one files a claim before the deadline, the funds can be kept by the county or state. That’s why checking early matters.
Is there a deadline to claim?
Yes. Depending on the state and sale type, the window can be as short as a few months or as long as several years. After it closes, the money may go to the state or county. Checking early matters.
How long does recovery take?
Most claims take a few months, though some move faster and some take longer. It depends on the court or county’s schedule and whether other lienholders also file claims.
What if the owner has passed away?
Heirs or the estate can usually claim the funds. You will need documents such as a death certificate and proof of heirship. We help you gather them.
Are you a government agency or a law firm?
We are a private recovery company, not a government agency or a law firm, and we are not affiliated with any court or county. We work with licensed local attorneys, and all paperwork is reviewed by a licensed attorney before filing.
Can we meet before I decide?
Yes. If you’d like to talk face to face, we can schedule a Zoom meeting to go over your case, answer your questions, and walk through the agreement together.
Check if money is waiting for you
Call or email us with the property address and the approximate sale date. We will search the records and get back to you within one business day with what we find. The review is free and you are under no obligation.
Also reachable at (505) 585-4523. Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. Prefer to meet face to face? We can schedule a Zoom meeting at a time that works for you.
Helpful to have when you reach out
- The address of the property that was sold
- The approximate year of the sale, and whether it was a tax sale or foreclosure
- The owner’s name, if you are reaching out for a family member