Search Isabella County Unclaimed Money
Isabella County residents may have unclaimed money held by the State of Michigan or as tax foreclosure surplus funds through the county court system. The Michigan Department of Treasury holds over $675 million statewide in dormant accounts, uncashed checks, insurance proceeds, and other abandoned property. Searches are free. Isabella County was also part of a multi-county class action case, Docket No. 349557, which dealt with surplus funds from tax foreclosure sales alongside Tuscola, Bay, Midland, Gratiot, and Saginaw counties.
Isabella County Overview
Michigan State Unclaimed Property Search
The Michigan Department of Treasury holds dormant funds reported by banks, insurance companies, utilities, employers, and other businesses. When a business can't locate the account holder, Michigan law requires them to hand the funds to the state. The state keeps those funds until the owner, or an heir, files a claim. The statewide total exceeds $675 million.
Searching is free. Visit unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov and type in your name. If a match appears, file the claim online. Most are resolved within 90 days. Need help? Call (517) 636-5320 or email TreasUPD@michigan.gov.
The Michigan Treasury portal shown below is the official starting point for any Isabella County resident searching for unclaimed funds.
Start your search at unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov, the official Michigan Unclaimed Property portal.
Search all names you've used, including maiden names and business names. Also search for deceased family members. Heirs can file claims for relatives in many cases, and the state holds funds indefinitely.
Why People Have Unclaimed Funds
Accounts go dormant for many reasons. People move and forget to update their address with a bank. Insurance policies sit untouched after someone passes. Payroll checks go uncashed. Utility refunds get mailed to the wrong address. None of this is unusual. In a college town like Mount Pleasant, where residents come and go, old accounts are especially easy to forget. A five-minute search could turn up money you didn't know was waiting for you.
Isabella County Treasurer
The Isabella County Treasurer collects delinquent property taxes and serves as the Foreclosing Governmental Unit (FGU) under Michigan's General Property Tax Act. When property taxes go unpaid, the County Treasurer takes over collection on March 1 of the first delinquent year. If the taxes are still unpaid after three years, the Treasurer initiates foreclosure through the circuit court.
| Treasurer | Kathleen M. Schafer |
|---|---|
| Address | 501 West Pickard Street, Mount Pleasant, MI 48858 |
| Phone | 989-317-4091 |
| Website | isabellacounty.org |
Delinquent Tax Collection
Once taxes are delinquent and with the county, interest accrues on the unpaid amount. Notices are sent to the property owner and any known lienholders. Owners who pay within the three-year window can stop the foreclosure. After the circuit court enters a judgment, the redemption right ends and the property is sold at auction.
Payment Options
Check the Isabella County website for current payment options for delinquent taxes. Payments can generally be made in person at the treasurer's office, by mail, or through online payment options. If you are trying to stop a foreclosure, contact the Treasurer's office as early as possible to discuss your options and any available payment plans.
Tax Foreclosure Surplus Funds in Isabella County
When a foreclosed property sells at auction for more than the tax debt, the difference is called a surplus. Michigan Compiled Laws section 211.78t gives the former property owner the right to claim that surplus. The process has strict deadlines that many people miss. Isabella County was part of class action litigation, Docket No. 349557, that also involved Tuscola, Bay, Midland, Gratiot, and Saginaw counties. If you had property foreclosed in Isabella County during the relevant period, you may have had a claim under that action.
Claim Forms and Deadlines
Two forms govern surplus claims under Michigan law:
- Form 5743 - Notice of intention to claim surplus proceeds. Must be filed by July 1 of the foreclosure year.
- Form 5744 - Petition to claim surplus proceeds. Due by January 31 after the foreclosure sale.
If you missed those windows, form CC540 is a court motion that can be filed from February 1 through May 15. This goes to the Isabella County circuit court, where a judge reviews the claim and orders payment if the claim is valid. It's a harder path, but it's still an available option within the window.
Rafaeli v. Oakland County (2020)
The Michigan Supreme Court ruled in 2020 in Rafaeli v. Oakland County that former property owners are entitled to surplus proceeds from tax foreclosure sales. Counties cannot keep the excess. This ruling applies statewide. If your property was foreclosed and the auction price exceeded what you owed, you may have a right to the difference. Check the filing deadlines to see which option applies to your situation.
Michigan Tax Foreclosure Timeline
Michigan follows a three-year process before a property can be finally foreclosed. Here's the breakdown:
- Year 1: Taxes are unpaid. On March 1, the county treasurer takes over collection. A lien attaches and interest begins. Payment at this stage stops the process.
- Year 2: The property is officially delinquent. Notices go to the owner and lienholders. Redemption rights remain. Formal foreclosure proceedings begin.
- Year 3: If still unpaid, the circuit court enters a foreclosure judgment. The property goes to public auction, usually late summer or early fall.
After the auction, proceeds pay off the tax debt, costs, and fees. Whatever is left is the surplus. The former owner has a right to it under MCL 211.78t, but only within the required filing windows. The Isabella County Treasurer serves as the FGU and handles each step under state law.
Legal Services of Eastern Michigan - Saginaw Office
Legal Services of Eastern Michigan provides free civil legal assistance to low-income residents in the region. Their Saginaw office at 301 E. Genesee Avenue, 5th Floor, Saginaw, MI 48607 serves Isabella County residents. Call toll-free at 1-800-322-4512 to ask about eligibility and available services.
The screenshot below shows the Legal Services of Eastern Michigan page, where Isabella County residents can find contact information and learn about available assistance.
Get more information about free legal help at lsem-mi.org, the Legal Services of Eastern Michigan website.
Legal Services can help with surplus fund claims, foreclosure defense, and other civil legal matters. If you are low-income and can't afford an attorney, this is a key resource for Isabella County.
Other Legal Resources
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has free self-help guides on surplus claims and foreclosure. The State Bar of Michigan lawyer referral service at lrs.michbar.org can connect you with a private attorney. Call (800) 968-0738. The Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund at michigan.gov/mihaf may help if you are currently behind on taxes and at risk of foreclosure.
Act before the deadlines expire. July 1 and January 31 are the main form filing dates. The court motion window closes May 15. Missing any of these ends your right to recover what you may be owed.
Cities in Isabella County
Mount Pleasant is the county seat and the largest city in Isabella County. No cities in Isabella County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. Residents of Mount Pleasant and other communities in Isabella County can use the state portal and the county resources on this page to search for unclaimed funds and file surplus claims through the local circuit court.