Search Cass County Unclaimed Money

Cass County residents may have unclaimed money in Michigan's free state database or in tax foreclosure surplus funds held through the county treasurer in Cassopolis. The Cass County Treasurer serves as custodian of all county funds, collects delinquent property taxes, and chairs the Cass County Land Bank Authority, making this office the key contact point for any foreclosure-related surplus claim in this southwest Michigan county.

Michigan Unclaimed Property Search

Start any search for unclaimed money at unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov. The Michigan Department of Treasury operates this free database and has returned more than $675 million to residents over the past five years. Forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, old insurance proceeds, utility deposits, and similar types of property are all in the database. You search by name. No account is needed. If a match comes up, you can file a claim directly through the portal.

There is no deadline to file and no cost to search or claim. Call (517) 636-5320 or email TreasUPD@michigan.gov if you need help confirming whether a result belongs to you or what documents to submit with your claim.

The Cass County Treasurer page at casscountymi.org/treasurer is the county's hub for delinquent tax information and property tax data. The screenshot below shows that page.

Visit casscountymi.org/treasurer to access the Cass County Treasurer's information and services.

The treasurer page lists contact details, tax payment options, and information about the county's delinquent tax process.

The main Cass County website at casscountymi.org provides access to all county departments and public records.

Use the main site to find contact info for any county department, including the treasurer.

Cass County Treasurer Responsibilities

The Cass County Treasurer handles a broad range of duties that go well beyond collecting taxes. As custodian of all county monies, the treasurer oversees the receipt, recording, and investment of county funds, maintains cash flow, and ensures the county stays financially stable through an established investment policy. The office also settles with township and city treasurers across the county, collecting delinquent real property taxes and crediting each local unit properly.

Beyond fund management, the treasurer maintains debt service accounts, certifies warranty deeds, and issues dog licenses for the county. The treasurer also sits on several important county boards: Cass County Land Bank Authority (as Chair), Plat Board, Elections Commission, County Apportionment Commission, County Building Authority, and the County Tax Allocation Board. This broad role makes the treasurer's office involved in many decisions affecting property and public finances in Cass County.

The Land Bank Authority role is worth noting for anyone interested in tax-foreclosed properties. The Land Bank manages properties that come through foreclosure and did not sell at public auction. If you want to purchase such a property or research its history, the treasurer's office is the right starting point. Reach the office at the main Cass County number through casscountymi.org.

Note: Cass County's treasurer also manages the delinquent tax revolving fund, which is used to make townships and cities whole for taxes owed that the county is still in the process of collecting.

Tax Foreclosure Surplus in Cass County

Michigan law MCL 211.78t gives former property owners the right to claim surplus proceeds from a tax foreclosure sale if the property sold for more than the total owed. This applies to foreclosures from 2021 onward. The 2020 Rafaeli, LLC v. Oakland County ruling by the Michigan Supreme Court established this right clearly: the county keeps only what it is owed, and any excess must be returned.

The claim process starts with Form 5743, which you file with the Cass County Treasurer by July 1 in the year of the sale. The treasurer then provides a formal accounting through Form 5744 by January 31. If the claim is not resolved, you may file a motion with the circuit court using form CC540. The filing window is February 1 through May 15. Court approval is required before any payment is made.

Missing the July 1 deadline for Form 5743 means losing the right to claim that surplus. If you are unsure about a past foreclosure in Cass County, contact the treasurer's office to ask about the sale date and any recorded surplus amount before assuming you have missed your window.

Michigan Delinquency and Foreclosure Timeline

Property taxes in Cass County follow the same three-year track used across all Michigan counties under MCL 211.78. Year one begins March 1, when the prior year's unpaid taxes become delinquent. A 4% administrative fee applies right away. Interest runs at 1% per month. If the debt is still unpaid on March 1 of year two, the property is forfeited. Interest rises to 1.5% per month from that date. The foreclosure is complete April 1 of year three. The county then holds clear title and can sell the property.

The redemption deadline is March 31 of the foreclosure year. Pay the full debt by that date to stop the process. After April 1, the county owns the property and the former owner's right to the property itself is gone. Their right to surplus funds from any future sale remains under MCL 211.78t for 2021 and later foreclosures.

Cass County tax foreclosure sales are often held through Tax-Sale.info, the online platform active in more than 74 Michigan counties. Past sale records and auction schedules are available through that platform. Their phone is 800-259-7470.

Free Legal Help and Prevention Resources

If you need help understanding your rights or filing a surplus claim in Cass County, several no-cost resources exist. Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org provides step-by-step guides on claiming leftover money after a tax foreclosure. The guides cover Form 5743, the accounting process, and the circuit court motion, all in plain language.

The State Bar of Michigan's lawyer referral service is at lrs.michbar.org or (800) 968-0738. Legal Services of Eastern Michigan at lsem-mi.org or (800) 322-4512 offers free civil legal assistance for those who qualify. If your property is still at risk, the Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund at michigan.gov/mihaf offers grants up to $25,000 to help cover past-due property taxes and mortgage payments.

Cities and Towns in Cass County

Cass County has no cities that meet the 100,000-population threshold for a dedicated city page. The county seat is Cassopolis. Other communities in the county include Dowagiac, Cassopolis, Edwardsburg, and Marcellus. All unclaimed money inquiries and tax foreclosure surplus claims for any part of Cass County go through the treasurer's office in Cassopolis.

Nearby Counties

Cass County is in Michigan's southwest corner, bordering Indiana to the south. Neighboring Michigan counties all follow the same surplus claim and delinquent tax processes.