Search Ogemaw County Unclaimed Money
Ogemaw County residents may be owed unclaimed funds held by the Michigan Treasury or surplus proceeds from past property tax foreclosures. This page explains how to search the state database, how to reach the Ogemaw County Treasurer's office in West Branch, and how to file a claim for tax foreclosure surplus under Michigan law.
Ogemaw County Overview
Michigan State Unclaimed Property Search
The Ogemaw County Treasurer website is a good place to start for local tax questions. Visit ocmi.us/treasurer for delinquent tax information and local forms.
The treasurer's office manages delinquent property tax collection, tax foreclosures, and surplus fund claims for Ogemaw County.
For the statewide search, go to unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov. The Michigan Department of Treasury holds over $675 million in unclaimed funds from dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance payouts, and more. The search is free. There is no deadline to file a claim. Call (517) 636-5320 or email TreasUPD@michigan.gov if you need help.
The Ogemaw County main website also provides access to county services and contact information for all county offices.
Use the county website to find department contacts, meeting schedules, and links to county records systems.
Ogemaw County Treasurer
Treasurer Caren Piglowski has served since January 2021. She was elected to a four-year term. The treasurer's office handles a wide range of financial functions for the county, from tax collection to investment of idle funds.
| Treasurer | Caren Piglowski (elected January 2021) |
|---|---|
| Accounting Clerk | Nicole Cooper |
| Property Tax Coordinator | Mary Childress |
| Property Tax Specialist | Dawn Gilley |
| Address | 806 W. Houghton Ave, West Branch, MI 48661 |
| Website | ocmi.us/treasurer |
The treasurer serves as custodian of all county funds and is responsible for receipting and accounting for all revenue the county receives. Other duties include investment of idle funds, reconciliation of accounts, and collection of delinquent property taxes. The office also handles certification of deeds following tax foreclosure proceedings.
For convenience, the county offers QR codes for online payment of delinquent taxes and dog license fees. These can be scanned with a smartphone to reach the payment portal directly without typing a long URL.
Show Cause Hearings
Each year the county treasurer schedules Show Cause hearings as part of the tax foreclosure process. These hearings give property owners a chance to appear before the court and explain why foreclosure should not proceed. An example hearing ran January 19, 2022, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the County Treasurer's Office, Room 103. Watch for mailed notices if you have delinquent taxes.
Tax Foreclosure Surplus Funds in Ogemaw County
When a foreclosed property sells at auction for more than the amount owed in back taxes, fees, and costs, the extra money is surplus. Under MCL 211.78t, the former property owner and other parties with a legal interest may claim those surplus proceeds.
Ogemaw County is part of class action Docket No. 349636, which also includes Roscommon, Montmorency, Alpena, Oscoda, Alcona, Arenac, Clare, and Gladwin Counties. This litigation addressed how surplus funds were handled by these counties following the Michigan Supreme Court's 2020 Rafaeli v. Oakland County ruling. That decision confirmed former owners have a constitutional right to surplus proceeds from tax sales.
How to Claim Surplus Proceeds
The claim process has specific forms and hard deadlines. Missing a deadline can result in losing your right to the money.
| Form 5743 | Notice of Intent to Claim Interest in Foreclosure Surplus - must be filed by July 1 in the year the foreclosure judgment is entered |
|---|---|
| Form 5744 | Claim for Foreclosure Surplus Proceeds - must be filed by January 31 of the year after the foreclosure year |
| Form CC540 | Circuit Court petition - file between February 1 and May 15 |
| Governing Law | MCL 211.78t - the exclusive mechanism for claiming surplus proceeds |
The Ogemaw County Treasurer's office has the Michigan Foreclosure Notice to Claim Interest form and the Foreclosure Hardship Application available. If you need these documents, contact the office directly or visit the website at ocmi.us/treasurer. The hardship application is relevant if you are trying to stop a foreclosure before it happens. The surplus claim forms are used after a foreclosure and sale have already occurred.
Michigan Tax Foreclosure Timeline
Michigan law sets out a three-year process that leads from unpaid taxes to potential foreclosure. Knowing where you are in this timeline matters a lot.
| Year 1 - Delinquency | Taxes go unpaid to township; county treasurer takes over the delinquent account on March 1 of the following year |
|---|---|
| Year 2 - Forfeiture | Property is forfeited on March 1; a forfeiture certificate is recorded; additional fees and interest begin accruing; owner still has time to redeem |
| Year 3 - Foreclosure | County files a foreclosure petition in circuit court; Show Cause hearing held; if taxes remain unpaid, a judgment of foreclosure is entered and title vests in the county on March 31 |
| After Sale | County sells property at auction; surplus proceeds above the tax debt may be claimed by former owner or other interest holders under MCL 211.78t |
Forfeiture is not the same as foreclosure. A forfeited property can still be redeemed by paying what is owed. Once a foreclosure judgment is entered, the path to getting the property back is much harder. If you receive any notices from the Ogemaw County Treasurer's office about forfeiture or foreclosure, act right away.
Other Places to Search for Unclaimed Money
The Michigan Treasury database covers most types of unclaimed financial property in the state, but a few other databases are worth checking too.
Federal bankruptcy courts can hold unclaimed funds from cases where creditors were not located. If you were a creditor in a bankruptcy filed in the Western District of Michigan, the court may still hold money in your name. The federal court's PACER system allows public searches of case records.
The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) holds funds from terminated pension plans. If a former employer's pension plan was shut down, your retirement benefit may be waiting at the PBGC. Search is free at pbgc.gov.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Abandoned Plan database covers 401(k) and profit-sharing plans that were abandoned by employers. Workers who were in these plans can search for their accounts online.
Life insurance proceeds are often transferred to the Michigan Treasury when the insurer cannot locate beneficiaries. Check the state database and also contact individual insurers if you believe a deceased family member had a policy.
Legal Aid and Help for Ogemaw County Residents
Several free resources can help you understand the claims process or find legal assistance if needed.
| Michigan Legal Help | michiganlegalhelp.org - free legal information including a step-by-step guide on claiming foreclosure surplus |
|---|---|
| Lawyer Referral | lrs.michbar.org - State Bar of Michigan: (800) 968-0738 |
| Michigan HAF | michigan.gov/mihaf - Homeowner Assistance Fund for mortgage, tax, and utility help |
Michigan Legal Help has a plain-language guide specifically for tax foreclosure surplus claims. It walks through Form 5743, Form 5744, and the circuit court petition process step by step. If you are not sure where to start, that guide is a good first stop.
The State Bar's referral line connects you with local attorneys. Many property tax lawyers offer reduced-fee first consultations. Acting early matters because the deadlines in MCL 211.78t are strict.
Cities in Ogemaw County
Ogemaw County's largest community is West Branch, the county seat. Other communities include Rose City, Prescott, and Skidway Lake. None of these cities exceed the 100,000-population threshold for a dedicated city page. All Ogemaw County residents can use the resources listed on this page.