Muskegon County Unclaimed Money Search

Muskegon County residents can search for unclaimed money through Michigan's free state portal and through the county's tax foreclosure surplus funds process. Whether you lost track of a bank account, a utility deposit, or proceeds from a property foreclosure, there are two main paths to check and two different offices to contact depending on the type of funds involved.

Michigan State Unclaimed Property

The Michigan Department of Treasury runs the state unclaimed property program at unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov. The search is free. You can look up funds by name, business name, or property ID. Michigan has returned over $675 million in unclaimed funds since the program began, and new property is added each year as businesses and financial institutions report dormant accounts.

Unclaimed property held by the state includes dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, forgotten security deposits, insurance proceeds, and stock dividends that were never collected. Businesses must turn over these funds to the state after a set dormancy period, typically three to five years. Once the state holds the funds, there is no deadline to claim them. You can file at any time, and there is no fee to search or to file a claim.

The state office can be reached by phone at (517) 636-5320 or by email at TreasUPD@michigan.gov. Staff can help if you have questions about a pending claim or need to provide additional documentation to support your identity.

The screenshot below shows the Muskegon County official website, which lists county departments and treasurer contact details for residents who need local assistance.

The county site at co.muskegon.mi.us is updated when tax foreclosure auctions are scheduled, so it is worth checking during the spring and summer months if you have questions about a specific property.

Muskegon County Treasurer

The Muskegon County Treasurer's Office handles property tax collection, delinquent tax accounts, and the county's tax foreclosure process. The office is located in Muskegon, the county seat. Contact details, hours, and staff listings are available through the county's main website.

If you owned a property that went through tax foreclosure and you think the sale brought in more than what was owed in taxes and fees, the Treasurer's Office is the right place to start. You will need to confirm the foreclosure date, the sale price, and the total amount owed at the time of foreclosure to find out whether a surplus exists. The county keeps records of all foreclosed properties and their sale results. Ask specifically for the surplus fund records tied to your property's parcel number.

The Treasurer also handles property tax assistance programs, poverty exemption applications, and payment plans for residents who are behind on taxes but want to avoid foreclosure. If you are currently delinquent but have not yet reached forfeiture, contacting the office early gives you more options. Those options shrink as the process moves forward each year.

Tax Foreclosure Surplus Funds

When a Michigan property sells at a tax foreclosure auction for more than the total amount owed in back taxes, interest, and fees, the difference is called a surplus. Under MCL 211.78t, the former property owner has the right to claim that surplus. This law applies to foreclosures that took place on or after July 17, 2020, which was when the Michigan Supreme Court issued its ruling in Rafaeli LLC v. Oakland County.

The Muskegon County Court Decision: Strict Deadlines Apply

Muskegon County was the site of a significant published Michigan Court of Appeals decision: In re Petition of Muskegon County Treasurer for Foreclosure. Properties in that case were foreclosed on March 31, 2021. The court examined whether claimants had met the requirements of MCL 211.78t and issued clear rulings on several key points.

First, MCL 211.78t is the exclusive mechanism for claiming surplus proceeds from a Michigan tax foreclosure. There is no alternate path through common law or constitutional claims. Second, the July 1 deadline for filing Form 5743 (Notice of Intention to Claim Proceeds) is strict. The court rejected arguments that constitutional protections could override or extend the statutory timeline. If you miss July 1, you lose your right to the surplus. Full stop.

Third, the court made clear that former owners must file Form 5743 before they even know whether a surplus will exist. The law requires filing the notice of intent first. The county then determines the auction result and notifies claimants. This ruling has been applied statewide. Muskegon County enforces these deadlines as written.

The court also turned away constitutional challenges to the statutory framework. Claimants argued the process was unfair because they had to file without knowing the outcome. The court upheld the statute. The takeaway: if you had a property foreclosed in Muskegon County after July 17, 2020, and you did not file Form 5743 by July 1 of the following year, your surplus claim is likely gone.

Filing Forms and the Full Process

Form 5743 must reach the Muskegon County Treasurer by July 1. After the auction is complete, the county prepares Form 5744 and notifies all valid claimants of the proceeds by January 31 of the next year. If surplus funds exist and your claim is valid, you then have from February 1 through May 15 to file a motion with the circuit court. The court determines the priority of claims and orders disbursement. The county must remit payment within 21 days of the court order.

Michigan Tax Foreclosure Timeline

Michigan uses a three-year process before a property is foreclosed. Each stage has fees, notices, and deadlines attached to it.

Year One - Delinquency: Unpaid property taxes become delinquent on March 1 and transfer to the county treasurer for collection. A 4% administrative fee is added at that point, plus 1% interest per month on the outstanding balance. Notices are sent by certified mail in June and September. A $15 notification fee is added on October 1.

Year Two - Forfeiture: If taxes are still unpaid, the property is forfeited to the county treasurer on March 1. A minimum fee of $235 is added. The interest rate rises to 1.5% per month, applied retroactively to March 1 of the previous year. Additional fees for property visits, lienholder notices, and newspaper publication accumulate through the year. An administrative show cause hearing gives the owner one last opportunity to respond before a judicial foreclosure hearing is scheduled.

Year Three - Foreclosure: March 31 is the final day to pay all amounts owed and stop foreclosure. On April 1, the property is legally foreclosed and title transfers to the county treasurer. The county then schedules the property for sale. If the sale produces more than what was owed, the MCL 211.78t surplus process begins and Form 5743 becomes relevant.

Tax Sale Auctions in Muskegon County

Muskegon County uses Tax-Sale.info to manage and advertise its tax foreclosure auctions. Tax-Sale.info serves over 74 Michigan counties and can be reached at (800) 259-7470. Properties available for purchase are listed on the platform in advance of each sale date. Bidders register through the site.

If you are a former owner and want to know what a specific property sold for, you can search past sale results on Tax-Sale.info. Knowing the sale price is the first step in figuring out whether a surplus existed. Compare that number to the total amount owed at the time of foreclosure. If the sale price is higher, there may be funds you can claim, provided you filed Form 5743 in time.

Auctions in Muskegon County typically run in the summer and fall after properties are foreclosed in April. Results are usually posted within a few weeks of the sale. Former owners who filed Form 5743 by July 1 will receive a Form 5744 response from the county by January 31 of the following year, letting them know the outcome of the sale and any surplus amounts.

Legal Aid Resources

Several free and low-cost resources are available to Muskegon County residents who need help with a surplus claim or want to avoid foreclosure.

Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has step-by-step guides for filing surplus claims, including instructions for completing Form 5743 and what to file in circuit court. The site covers foreclosure prevention options as well.

State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service connects you with a local attorney who handles property and foreclosure cases. Call (800) 968-0738 or go to lrs.michbar.org. Initial consultations through the referral service are typically offered at a reduced rate.

Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF) at michigan.gov/mihaf provides financial help for homeowners facing foreclosure because of COVID-related hardship. Not all applicants qualify, but it is worth checking if you are behind on taxes and need support.

West Michigan Legal Services also offers help to income-eligible residents in the Muskegon area. Their staff can advise on both foreclosure prevention and surplus fund recovery depending on where you are in the process.

Cities in Muskegon County

No cities in Muskegon County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. The city of Muskegon is the county seat and the largest municipality in the county. For unclaimed money searches related to any city in Muskegon County, use the state portal at unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov and contact the Muskegon County Treasurer's Office for questions about tax foreclosure surplus funds.

Nearby Counties

Muskegon County borders several counties in western Michigan. Each has its own treasurer's office and follows the same MCL 211.78t surplus claim process.