Southfield Unclaimed Money Search
Southfield residents may have unclaimed money held by Michigan Treasury, Oakland County, or the City of Southfield. Sources include dormant bank accounts, insurance proceeds, old utility deposits, and uncashed checks. This page covers each source and guides you through the claim process.
Southfield Overview
Michigan State Unclaimed Property
Michigan Treasury holds unclaimed funds reported by banks, insurance companies, employers, and other businesses that lose contact with their account holders. The money stays on file with no expiration date. The program is free. You never need an attorney or a paid service to search. Michigan has returned more than $675 million to date and still holds more.
Search the free database at unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov. Enter your full name or a business name to search. You can also look up a deceased family member. If a match comes up, the site guides you through the claim. For help, call (517) 636-5320 or email TreasUPD@michigan.gov.
Try old names, maiden names, and prior business names. Many people find accounts they had no idea existed. The search costs nothing and takes just a few minutes.
The state database is updated regularly as new property is reported by businesses statewide.
City of Southfield Treasurer
The City of Southfield Treasurer handles property tax billing and collection for all city residents. Treasurer Irv Lowenberg oversees city tax accounts and can answer questions about balances, credits, or overpayments. Southfield does not have a city income tax, so property taxes are the main local tax to keep track of. For assessing questions (property value, exemptions), a separate Assessing Department handles those matters.
| Treasurer | Irv Lowenberg |
|---|---|
| Address | 26000 Evergreen Road, P.O. Box 2055, Southfield, MI 48037-2055 |
| Phone | (248) 796-5200 |
| Assessing Dept. | (248) 796-5230 |
| Website | cityofsouthfield.com |
If you believe the city owes you a refund or credit on a tax account, call (248) 796-5200. Have your parcel number or account number ready. For property valuation or tax exemption questions, call Assessing at (248) 796-5230.
The city mailing address for tax payments and correspondence is P.O. Box 2055, Southfield, MI 48037-2055. Physical visits can be made to 26000 Evergreen Road during regular business hours.
No local city images are available for this page. Use the state database and county resources below as your primary search tools.
Oakland County Treasurer
Southfield properties with unpaid tax balances are forwarded to Oakland County on March 1 each year. Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg then manages collection and foreclosure proceedings. The county has options for residents facing hardship, including payment plans. If you have an outstanding tax balance on a Southfield property, contact the county as soon as possible.
| Office | Oakland County Treasurer |
|---|---|
| Treasurer | Robert Wittenberg |
| Phone | 248.858.0611 |
| Address | 1200 N Telegraph Rd, Dept 479, Pontiac, MI 48341 |
| Website | oakgov.com |
See the Oakland County unclaimed money page for more on county resources and the delinquent tax process.
Tax Foreclosure Surplus Funds
Oakland County is where Michigan's most important tax foreclosure surplus case originated. In 2020, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled in Rafaeli v. Oakland County that the government must return surplus proceeds to the former property owner when a foreclosed home sells for more than the taxes owed. That ruling applies to every county in Michigan.
If Oakland County forecloses on a Southfield property and sells it at auction for more than the taxes and fees due, the prior owner has a right to claim the surplus under MCL 211.78t. File Form 5743 (Motion to Claim Remaining Proceeds) with the Oakland County Circuit Court. The deadline is July 1 of the year after the foreclosure sale.
After July 1, the right to claim expires. Gather the parcel number, proof of ownership at the time of foreclosure, and the sale details before you file. You don't need an attorney to file, but one can be helpful if the surplus is large. Michigan Legal Help has a step-by-step guide for this process.
Oakland County uses the Form 5743 / July 1 process. This is not the same as Wayne County's Form 6156 / March 31 system. Make sure you're using the right form for the right county.
Michigan Tax Foreclosure Timeline
Michigan's three-year process applies the same way across all of Oakland County, including Southfield.
| Stage | When | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Delinquent | March 1, Year 1 | Unpaid taxes move to county. A 4% penalty plus 1% per month starts. |
| Forfeiture | March 1, Year 2 | Property forfeited to county. More fees apply. Owner can still redeem. |
| Foreclosure | April 1, Year 3 | Title moves to county. Right to redeem ends. Property may go to auction. |
Once a property sells at auction, file Form 5743 before July 1 of that year. Oakland County's post-Rafaeli surplus rights are well-established. Use them before the deadline passes.
Legal Aid Resources
Southfield residents have access to free and low-cost legal help for unclaimed property and tax foreclosure issues.
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has plain-language guides on surplus claims, foreclosure defense, and unclaimed property. Free to use.
State Bar Lawyer Referral connects you with a local attorney. Call (800) 968-0738 or visit lrs.michbar.org. First consultations are typically low cost.
Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF) provides support if you are behind on taxes and at risk of foreclosure. Visit michigan.gov/mihaf.
Know your rights, act before July 1, and use the free resources available if you need help navigating the process.