Mason County Unclaimed Property Search

Mason County residents can search for unclaimed money through Michigan's free state database and may be owed surplus funds from tax foreclosure sales where the auction price exceeded the taxes and fees owed. Mason County is an "opt-in" county for tax reversion and has kept all foreclosure administration local since 2004. The county is also part of a class action lawsuit related to tax foreclosure surplus claims. This page covers the state search portal, how to reach Treasurer Andrew Kmetz, the surplus claim process, and where to get legal help.

Michigan State Unclaimed Property Search

The Michigan Department of Treasury holds dormant financial assets in a free, searchable database. Any Michigan resident can search by name at no cost. No registration required. The state has returned more than $675 million to residents and continues to take in new assets each year as accounts go inactive and companies turn them over.

What types of assets are in the database? Old bank accounts that went dormant. Uncashed payroll checks or dividend payments. Life insurance payouts that never reached the policyholder. Utility security deposits from accounts that were closed. Safe deposit box contents. State and government refunds. Once a business or institution reports these assets to Michigan, the state holds them until the owner or heir comes forward. There is no time limit to file a claim.

To claim funds, you need to show who you are and your connection to the asset. Proof of identity is always required. Additional documents depend on the type of asset. Processing takes about 60 to 90 days once the claim is verified and all documents are in.

For questions, call (517) 636-5320 or email TreasUPD@michigan.gov. Staff can confirm ownership of a search result and help you understand what to submit.

Michigan's free statewide unclaimed property search is available at unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov.

Search by name at no cost. No account required.

Mason County Treasurer

Andrew R. Kmetz, IV serves as Mason County Treasurer. The Treasurer is responsible for cash management, investments, property taxation, and serving as custodian of county funds. The office maintains the county's general ledger, collects delinquent real property taxes, conducts title searches and notifications for foreclosure, sells dog licenses, certifies deeds, and handles the PRE Audit Program. Mason County opted into the tax reversion program in 2004, which means the Treasurer purchases all delinquent real property taxes to ensure 100% tax levy collection. Issues Delinquent Tax Anticipation Notes (DTANs) as needed to fund this process.

The Mason County main website provides access to all county departments and services, including current contact information for the Treasurer and other offices.

Use the county site to find department contacts, office hours, and service information for residents and property owners in Mason County.

Mason County Opt-In Tax Reversion Program

Mason County has been an opt-in county for tax reversion since 2004. This is not typical. Most Michigan counties leave delinquent tax collection to the county treasurer as the Foreclosing Governmental Unit but do not pre-purchase tax debts. Mason County's approach is different. The Treasurer purchases all delinquent real property taxes directly, ensuring that local taxing units receive 100% of their levy even when individual owners fall behind.

What does this mean for you? If you own property in Mason County and fall behind on taxes, the county has already purchased that tax debt. The Treasurer becomes your creditor. You still owe the same amount, plus the same fees and interest that apply under Michigan's standard three-year process. But the entity holding the debt is the county, not a third-party tax lien investor.

The county issues Delinquent Tax Anticipation Notes (DTANs) to fund these purchases as needed. This is a financial tool that lets the county advance money to taxing units while waiting to recover it through the delinquent collection process. DTANs do not affect what individual property owners owe.

For deed certifications, call the Treasurer's office directly at 231 843-8411. The Treasurer conducts title searches and handles notification requirements as part of the foreclosure process under Public Act 123.

Class Action Lawsuit - Docket No. 349633

Mason County is named in class action litigation under Docket No. 349633 alongside Newaygo, Benzie, Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee, Lake, Osceola, and Oceana counties. The suit involves former property owners who claim they were owed surplus proceeds from tax foreclosure sales but did not receive them.

The legal basis is the Michigan Supreme Court's 2020 ruling in Rafaeli v. Oakland County. The court ruled that counties retaining surplus auction proceeds beyond what was owed in taxes, fees, and costs violated the Michigan Constitution's takings clause. Former owners have a constitutional right to that surplus.

If you lost a property through tax foreclosure in Mason County before 2021, you may have a claim under this class action. Whether and how that applies to your specific situation depends on the facts of your case. Consulting a legal aid organization or attorney is the right first step.

The class action and individual MCL 211.78t claims are separate. Even if you are part of or affected by the class action, you may also have individual rights under the statute for any 2021 or later foreclosures. Talk to an attorney before deciding which path to take.

Tax Foreclosure Surplus Claims (MCL 211.78t)

For foreclosures that occurred in 2021 or later, Michigan's MCL 211.78t creates a clear statutory process to claim surplus proceeds. Surplus is the amount by which the auction price exceeded the total owed in taxes, fees, and interest. That money belongs to the former owner.

Form 5743 by July 1. File the Claim for Excess Proceeds with the Mason County FGU (the Treasurer's office) by July 1 of the year after your property was sold at auction. This is a firm deadline. Do not miss it.

Form 5744 response by January 31. The county provides a written accounting by January 31 showing the sale price, deductions, and net surplus amount owed to you.

CC540 court motion between February 1 and May 15. If the claim is unresolved after the accounting, file a CC540 motion in Mason County Circuit Court within this window. A judge reviews the claim. If approved, the county is ordered to pay. Missing this window typically results in forfeiting the funds.

Because Mason County is an opt-in county, the Treasurer conducts the title search and notification steps internally rather than outsourcing them. The process is slightly different from non-opt-in counties, but the MCL 211.78t claim steps are the same. If you have questions about how Mason County's opt-in status affects your surplus claim, call the Treasurer directly at 231 843-8411.

Michigan Tax Foreclosure Timeline

Mason County follows Michigan's standard three-year tax foreclosure timeline under Public Act 123 of 1999. The Treasurer, as an opt-in county participant, is directly involved at every stage.

Year 1 - Delinquency. Unpaid taxes become delinquent on March 1 of the year after they are due. Because Mason County is opt-in, the Treasurer purchases the delinquent tax debt from local units on that date. A 4% administrative fee is added, and interest runs at 1% per month from the original due date. The owner must now pay the Treasurer directly.

Year 2 - Forfeiture. If the balance is still unpaid by the next March 1, the property enters forfeiture status. Interest climbs to 1.5% per month and is applied retroactively. Title search fees and recording fees are added to the total owed. Forfeiture does not mean the property is gone. The owner still has time to pay the full amount and keep it.

Year 3 - Foreclosure. If no payment is made, the Mason County Treasurer files for foreclosure in circuit court. Once the court enters a foreclosure judgment, the owner's rights end. The Treasurer takes title and schedules the property for auction. For 2021 and later foreclosures, any auction surplus is available to the former owner under MCL 211.78t.

If your taxes are delinquent right now, call Treasurer Kmetz at 231 843-8411. Do not wait. Every month adds to what you owe, and hardship options may only be available at certain stages.

Legal Aid for Mason County Residents

Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org provides free step-by-step guides on tax foreclosure, surplus fund claims under MCL 211.78t, and unclaimed property searches. The guides explain each form and walk through what happens at each stage of the process.

State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service. Call (800) 968-0738 or visit lrs.michbar.org to get connected with an attorney in west Michigan handling real estate, tax foreclosure, or surplus claim matters. An initial referral consultation is available for a modest fee.

West Michigan Legal Aid may serve Mason County residents depending on income eligibility. Check michiganlegalhelp.org for a current list of legal aid offices covering the western Lower Peninsula. These offices can help with tax foreclosure defense, surplus claims, and related housing matters at low or no cost.

Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF) provides up to $25,000 for qualifying homeowners who are behind on property taxes or mortgage payments. Visit michigan.gov/mihaf for eligibility rules and current program status. Apply early. Funds are limited.

Cities in Mason County

No cities in Mason County meet the 100,000-population threshold for a dedicated city page. Ludington is the county seat and main population center. Other communities in the county include Scottville, Fountain, and Free Soil. All Mason County residents use the same Treasurer's office at Suite 104, Mason County Courthouse, 304 E. Ludington Avenue, Ludington, MI 49431. Search the state database at unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov for any funds held in your name.

Nearby Counties