Waterford Township Unclaimed Money
Waterford Township residents may have unclaimed money held by Michigan Treasury, Oakland County, or the Township itself. Sources include dormant bank accounts, forgotten insurance payouts, utility deposits, and uncashed refund checks. This page covers every source and tells you how to search and file a claim.
Waterford Township 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 state keeps these funds indefinitely. There is no deadline to claim. The program is free. No account needed. Michigan has already returned more than $675 million to residents statewide. Waterford Township residents often find old savings accounts, insurance proceeds, or uncashed paychecks they had forgotten about.
Search the free database at unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov. Enter your name or a former business name. You can look up deceased family members too. If the search finds a match, follow the steps to file a claim online or by mail. For help, call (517) 636-5320 or email TreasUPD@michigan.gov.
Try alternate spellings, maiden names, and old addresses to be thorough. It takes just a few minutes.
The state database is updated regularly as businesses report new property across Michigan.
Waterford Township Treasurer
The Waterford Township Treasurer handles local property tax billing and collection for all township residents. Treasurer Margaret Birch manages the office and can answer questions about tax accounts, balances, overpayments, and payment options. Waterford Township does not have a township income tax, so property taxes are the main local obligation. The Township also has a Supervisor and Clerk who handle other administrative matters.
| Treasurer | Margaret Birch |
|---|---|
| Phone | (248) 674-6217 |
| mbirch@waterfordmi.gov | |
| Address | 5200 Civic Center Drive, Waterford, MI 48329 |
| Supervisor | Gary Wall, (248) 674-6201, gwall@waterfordmi.gov |
| Clerk | Sue Camilleri, (248) 674-6211, scamilleri@waterfordmi.gov |
| Website | waterfordmi.gov |
The official Waterford Township website is at waterfordmi.gov. The site has department directories, contact info, and service links for residents.
The Township site above shows department directories and resources for residents dealing with tax or financial questions.
The Treasurer's page is at waterfordmi.gov/treasurer.
The Treasurer page above has tax billing details, payment options, and contact info for the Township Treasurer's office.
If you think the Township holds a credit or overpayment on your tax account, reach out to Treasurer Birch directly by phone or email.
Oakland County Treasurer
When Waterford Township property taxes go unpaid, the Township forwards delinquent accounts to Oakland County on March 1. Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg then manages collection and foreclosure proceedings. The county works with property owners and offers payment plans. If you have an outstanding tax balance on a Waterford Township property, contacting the county treasurer early gives you the most options.
| Office | Oakland County Treasurer |
|---|---|
| Treasurer | Robert Wittenberg |
| Phone | 248.858.0611 Option 7 |
| Address | 1200 N Telegraph Rd, Dept 479, Pontiac, MI 48341 |
| Website | oakgov.com |
More on Oakland County's resources is at the Oakland County unclaimed money page.
Tax Foreclosure Surplus Funds
Oakland County is where Michigan's most important tax foreclosure surplus ruling came from. In 2020, the Michigan Supreme Court decided Rafaeli v. Oakland County, holding that the government must return surplus proceeds to a prior property owner when a foreclosed home sells for more than the unpaid taxes and fees. That case was brought against Oakland County, and the ruling now applies across all of Michigan.
For Waterford Township properties, the process works like this: if Oakland County forecloses and then sells the property at auction for more than the debt, the former owner can file to claim the surplus under MCL 211.78t. Use Form 5743 (Motion to Claim Remaining Proceeds) and file it with the Oakland County Circuit Court. The deadline is July 1 of the year after the foreclosure sale.
That July 1 date is firm. After it passes, you lose your right to claim. Make sure you have your parcel number, proof of ownership at the time of foreclosure, and the sale info in hand when you file. You can get sale data from the Oakland County Treasurer's office or through public court records.
This Form 5743 / July 1 process is the same one used across Oakland County for all communities. Do not mix it up with Wayne County's Form 6156 process, which uses different deadlines and requirements.
Michigan Tax Foreclosure Timeline
Michigan's three-year delinquency process applies the same way across all of Oakland County, including Waterford Township.
| 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 to claim any surplus. Oakland County's history with the Rafaeli ruling gives residents there a clear legal foundation for surplus claims.
Legal Aid Resources
Waterford Township residents can access free legal resources for unclaimed property searches and tax foreclosure matters.
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has self-help guides for surplus claims, foreclosure defense, and unclaimed property. Free to use statewide.
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) helps homeowners behind on taxes or at risk of foreclosure. Check eligibility at michigan.gov/mihaf.
Know the July 1 deadline and use the free resources if you need help filing. If you are not sure how to proceed, a quick call to Michigan Legal Help or the State Bar referral line can point you in the right direction.