Livonia Unclaimed Money Search
Livonia residents can search for unclaimed money through Michigan's free statewide database and through Wayne County for any tax-related funds. Sources include dormant bank accounts, forgotten insurance payouts, old utility deposits, uncashed payroll checks, and other abandoned financial accounts. Livonia has no city income tax. Wayne County Treasurer Eric R. Sabree handles delinquent property taxes and surplus funds from tax foreclosure sales using a process unique to Wayne County.
Livonia Overview
Michigan State Unclaimed Property
Michigan's Department of Treasury is the first place to search. Banks, insurance companies, employers, and utilities must report dormant accounts to the state. The state holds the funds indefinitely. There is no deadline for owners to file a claim. Searching is free.
The statewide database is at unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov. The program has returned more than $675 million to Michigan residents.
Enter your last name at the website to see any matching records. Click through to file a claim if you find one. You will need to verify your identity. For higher-value accounts, supporting documents may be required. Questions can go to (517) 636-5320 or TreasUPD@michigan.gov. Livonia has a large residential population and many residents have also worked in neighboring cities across Wayne County, sometimes leaving accounts behind. Searching under old names and past addresses is worth the effort.
You can also search for deceased family members. If a parent or spouse who lived in Livonia had unclaimed property and you are the legal heir, you can file a claim with a death certificate and proof of your relationship to the decedent.
What Gets Reported
Businesses report accounts dormant for three years. This covers checking and savings accounts, payroll checks, stock dividends, security deposits, and more. Life insurance proceeds are reported after three years of no beneficiary contact. Safe deposit box contents arrive at the state after five years of no payment on the box rental.
Livonia City Treasurer
The City of Livonia Treasurer's Office manages property tax billing, collections, and city financial accounts. Livonia does not have a city income tax. Property taxes are billed on the standard Michigan schedule: summer taxes are due by July 31 and winter taxes are due by February 14. If you overpaid taxes in any year and a refund check was issued but never cashed, that check may now appear in the state's unclaimed property database.
The city's website is at livonia.gov.
The Livonia city website provides access to tax account lookup, payment options, and financial office contacts for residents.
| Department | City Treasurer's Office, City of Livonia |
|---|---|
| Address | 33000 Civic Center Drive, Livonia, MI 48154 |
| Website | livonia.gov |
If you think the city owes you a refund, contact the Treasurer's Office directly. Bring your parcel ID or account number and the relevant tax year. The office can look up your account and confirm whether a credit exists. If a refund was issued in the past but never cashed, they can help you trace it or confirm it was forwarded to the state's unclaimed property program.
Wayne County Treasurer
Livonia property taxes that go unpaid transfer to Wayne County Treasurer Eric R. Sabree's office after March 1. Wayne County takes over collection and charges interest. If taxes remain unpaid for three years, the property can enter tax foreclosure under MCL 211.78.
The Wayne County delinquent tax portal is at pta.waynecounty.com. Search by parcel number or address. For questions, call (313) 224-5990. See the full Wayne County unclaimed money page for more county-level details.
If you are behind on Livonia property taxes, contact Wayne County as early as possible. Early contact gives you the best chance to set up a payment plan or access hardship programs. The Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund may provide grants up to $25,000 if your delinquency stems from pandemic-related hardship.
Tax Foreclosure Surplus Funds: Wayne County Form 6156
If your Livonia property was foreclosed for unpaid taxes and sold at a Wayne County tax auction for more than the taxes owed, you may have a right to the surplus. The 2020 Michigan Supreme Court ruling in Rafaeli LLC v Oakland County, decided July 17, 2020, held that former owners are entitled to excess sale proceeds. But Wayne County has its own specific process for claiming those funds.
Wayne County Surplus Claim Steps
Wayne County uses Form 6156, not the Form 5743 used in most other Michigan counties. The process is:
- Get Form 6156 from Wayne County. The form must be notarized before you submit it.
- Submit the completed, notarized Form 6156 to Wayne County by March 31. This is an earlier deadline than most Michigan counties require.
- Wayne County will notify you by July 1 whether surplus funds are available from your former property's sale.
- If funds are available, file a motion with the 3rd Circuit Court by October 1.
The March 31 deadline is strict. If you miss it, you lose your claim for that cycle. Do not wait to see whether a surplus exists before acting. Call Wayne County at (313) 224-5990 and ask them to pull the sale record for your parcel. They can confirm whether a surplus is being held.
Free help with Form 6156 is available through the United Community Housing Coalition's Tax Foreclosure Hotline at (313) 725-4560. This service covers all of Wayne County, including Livonia. They can walk you through the form and filing process at no charge.
Michigan Tax Foreclosure Timeline
Michigan uses a three-year process before a property is foreclosed. Here is how the stages work:
- Year 1, March 1: Taxes become delinquent. A 4% administration fee is charged plus 1% per month in interest.
- Year 2, March 1: The property enters forfeiture. Formal proceedings begin and the owner's options to redeem become more limited.
- Year 3, April 1: Foreclosure is finalized. The county takes title and can sell the property at auction.
The owner can pay the full balance at any stage before foreclosure is finalized. Once the property sells, a surplus claim is the only remaining path. Acting early is always better than waiting.
Legal Aid Resources
Livonia residents can access free and low-cost legal help for unclaimed money and tax foreclosure surplus issues.
- Michigan Legal Help: michiganlegalhelp.org has free guides on unclaimed property, tax foreclosure, and surplus fund claims.
- State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service: Call (800) 968-0738 or visit lrs.michbar.org to find a local attorney for property or tax matters.
- Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF): Visit michigan.gov/mihaf for grants up to $25,000 for homeowners who fell behind on taxes due to hardship.
- United Community Housing Coalition (UCHC): (313) 725-4560. Free help with Wayne County's Form 6156 process specifically.
If the surplus amount is significant, a private attorney who handles tax foreclosure cases is worth consulting. Many take these cases on contingency, so no upfront cost to you.