Find Unclaimed Money in Menominee County

Menominee County is located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula along the Wisconsin border, and residents here can search for unclaimed money through two main channels: the free Michigan Department of Treasury database at the state level, and the tax foreclosure surplus claim process managed through the Menominee County Treasurer. Former property owners whose land sold at a tax auction in 2021 or later may have a legal right to claim any funds left over after the county recovered its debt. This page covers both paths, including contact details for the county treasurer and the key deadlines you need to know.

Michigan State Unclaimed Property Search

The Michigan Department of Treasury maintains a free unclaimed property search at unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov.

Anyone can search by name for free. No account needed.

The state holds more than $675 million in unclaimed funds from Michigan residents. Dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, old utility deposits, forgotten insurance proceeds, and uncollected stock dividends are all common sources. Banks, insurers, employers, and other businesses are required by state law to turn over inactive accounts to the Treasury after a set period. The funds stay there until someone claims them. There is no deadline, and there is no fee to file a claim.

For direct help, call Treasury staff at (517) 636-5320 or email TreasUPD@michigan.gov. They can confirm whether a result is yours and walk you through what documents to submit. If you are claiming on behalf of a deceased family member, staff can explain what estate paperwork is needed.

Menominee County's location on the Wisconsin border means some residents have moved between states over the years. If you formerly lived in Menominee but moved to Wisconsin, check both states' databases. Wisconsin has its own unclaimed property portal that is separate from Michigan's system.

Menominee County Official Website

The official Menominee County website at menomineecounty.com provides access to county department contacts and public information including the treasurer's office.

The county site includes department contact pages, meeting schedules, and links to online services available to Menominee County residents.

Menominee County Treasurer

The Menominee County Treasurer handles all delinquent tax collection, property tax foreclosure proceedings, and surplus fund claims. If you need to look up a specific parcel or ask about a prior tax sale in the county, the treasurer's office is the right place to start.

Call the office before visiting in person to confirm hours. The Upper Peninsula county offices sometimes have different schedules than Lower Peninsula counties, and hours can vary around major state tax deadlines in March and July.

Tax Foreclosure Surplus Funds in Menominee County

Michigan's MCL 211.78t gives former property owners the right to claim surplus proceeds from tax foreclosure auctions that took place in 2021 and later. This law came out of the 2020 Michigan Supreme Court decision in Rafaeli, LLC v. Oakland County. The court said the government cannot pocket money it was not owed after selling a foreclosed property. The legislature responded with a formal claims process.

The steps are the same in Menominee County as in all Michigan counties. File Form 5743 (Notice of Intention to Claim Interest in Foreclosure Sale Proceeds) with the Menominee County Treasurer by July 1 in the year of the sale. That deadline is strict. If you miss it, you generally lose your right to the surplus for that particular auction cycle. The county then has until January 31 of the following year to send you Form 5744, which shows the sale price, the debt recovered, and the net surplus remaining.

After receiving the Form 5744 accounting notice, you have from February 1 to May 15 to file a motion with the Menominee County Circuit Court using form CC540. The court schedules a hearing, issues an order, and the county pays out the surplus within 21 days of that order. You do not need a lawyer to go through this process, but legal help is available if you need it.

Michigan Tax Foreclosure Timeline

All Michigan counties follow the same three-year process under MCL 211.78. Year one begins March 1, when prior year taxes go delinquent. A 4% fee is added immediately, plus 1% per month in interest. The county sends delinquency notices in the summer and a second notice by September 1. Year two begins March 1, when the property is formally forfeited to the county treasurer. Interest jumps to 1.5% per month. The county holds an administrative show cause hearing in January or February where you can appear to dispute the delinquency or discuss options.

Year three is when foreclosure is finalized. March 31 is the absolute last day to pay and redeem the property. On April 1, ownership transfers to the county treasurer by court order. The property then goes to auction. If the auction price tops the debt, the difference is the surplus that you can claim under MCL 211.78t. Once April 1 passes there is no way to reclaim ownership. The only remaining option is a surplus money claim.

Legal Aid and Resources

Menominee County residents who need free legal help with tax foreclosure or surplus claims can reach Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org. The site has a step-by-step guide written in plain language for filing a surplus claim after a tax foreclosure. It covers each form and each deadline in clear terms.

The State Bar of Michigan's Lawyer Referral Service connects you with a local attorney. Call (800) 968-0738 or visit lrs.michbar.org to find someone in your area. Upper Peninsula Legal Services may also serve Menominee County residents based on income. Call to check eligibility.

The Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund at michigan.gov/mihaf offers grants up to $25,000 for homeowners who fell behind on property taxes. These are not loans. Funding levels change, so check current availability. If your property is still in the forfeiture stage, this program may help you catch up before foreclosure becomes final on April 1.

Menominee County and the Wisconsin Border

Menominee sits directly across the Menominee River from Marinette, Wisconsin. Many families in this area have ties on both sides of the state line. If you or a family member worked or lived in the Marinette-Menominee area and then moved away, it is worth checking both Michigan and Wisconsin unclaimed property databases. Funds held by Wisconsin businesses or Wisconsin government entities go into the Wisconsin unclaimed property system, not Michigan's.

For Michigan funds tied to Menominee County addresses, the Michigan Treasury database is the right place to search. Use any name and address you or a family member used while in the area, including maiden names and previous addresses.

Cities in Menominee County

Menominee County has no cities that meet the 100,000-population threshold for a dedicated page on this site. The county seat and largest city is Menominee, which sits on the Wisconsin border. Other communities include Stephenson and Carney. All tax foreclosure surplus claims and unclaimed money matters for any address in Menominee County are handled through the treasurer's office in Menominee.

Nearby Counties