Search Schoolcraft County Unclaimed Money
Schoolcraft County is in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, with Manistique as its county seat along Lake Michigan's northern shoreline. Unclaimed money for county residents comes from two main places: the Michigan Department of Treasury's statewide unclaimed property program, which holds dormant bank accounts, forgotten deposits, and uncashed checks, and tax foreclosure surplus funds managed by the Schoolcraft County Treasurer under MCL 211.78t. Both programs are free to use. This page explains where to look and how to file a claim if you find money that belongs to you.
Schoolcraft County Overview
Michigan State Unclaimed Property Search
Michigan's Department of Treasury collects financial assets from businesses when the account holder cannot be found after a period of inactivity. Banks, insurance companies, employers, and other institutions must transfer these dormant assets to the state. The state then holds them without a time limit until the rightful owner or their heirs come forward. There is no deadline to file a claim.
Michigan's unclaimed property database is free to search at unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov.
The state has returned over $675 million in the last five years. Search by name at no cost.
To search, go to the site and enter your name. You can also look up former addresses, business names, and deceased relatives. If a match comes up, the site walks you through the claim steps. Most claims require a government-issued ID and proof of your connection to the address or account. Claims are generally processed in 90 to 120 days. Call (517) 636-5320 or email TreasUPD@michigan.gov with questions. Filing is always free.
Schoolcraft County Treasurer
Heather Lalonde is the Schoolcraft County Treasurer, elected on November 5, 2024, as a Republican. Her term runs through December 31, 2028. The treasurer's office is located in Room 169 of the courthouse at 300 Walnut Street, Manistique, MI 49854. The phone number is (906) 341-3622.
| Treasurer | Heather Lalonde |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 Walnut Street, Room 169, Manistique, MI 49854 |
| Phone | (906) 341-3622 |
| Deputy / Delinquent Tax Clerk | Maddie Berry |
| Accounting Clerk | Jessica Beckman |
| Website | schoolcraftcounty.net |
The Schoolcraft County Treasurer is established under Michigan Constitution Article VII, Section 4, which sets the office as a four-year partisan elected position. The treasurer serves as custodian of all county funds, collects delinquent property taxes, accepts cash, money orders, credit and debit cards, and cashier checks, and maintains a public computer terminal in the office for property record lookups. The office also accounts for all county revenue and certifies deeds and tax history documents.
The county treasurer's page is available on the Schoolcraft County website. Visit that page to confirm current hours, fee schedules, and instructions for submitting forms.
The treasurer page lists contact details, office hours, and key forms for tax payments and surplus claims.
The main county website provides broader access to county departments and services.
Use the county website to find department contacts, meeting schedules, and official notices.
Tax Foreclosure Surplus Funds in Schoolcraft County
When a Schoolcraft County property is sold at tax foreclosure auction for more than the outstanding taxes, fees, and costs, the difference is surplus funds. The former property owner is entitled to that surplus under Michigan law. The Michigan Supreme Court's 2020 ruling in Rafaeli, LLC v. Oakland County established that counties cannot keep excess proceeds from tax sales. MCL 211.78t now governs the formal claim process for foreclosures in 2021 and later years.
Schoolcraft County is part of statewide litigation regarding tax foreclosure surplus funds. The case In re Petition of Schoolcraft County Treasurer for Foreclosure (Docket No. 362170) and Barclay v. Schoolcraft County (Circuit Court Case No. 20-5456-CZ, decided July 5, 2022) are part of the broader legal landscape surrounding surplus claims in the county. If your property was foreclosed before 2021, ask the treasurer's office or a legal aid attorney whether prior-year claims are still available.
Filing a Surplus Claim: What You Need to Do
The process has two forms and strict deadlines. Missing a deadline will likely end your claim.
- Form 5743 - Notice of Intent to Claim Interest in Foreclosure Sale Proceeds. File with the Schoolcraft County Treasurer by July 1 in the year after your property was foreclosed. This form signals your intent to pursue the surplus.
- Form 5744 - Petition to Claim Interest in Foreclosure Sale Proceeds. File this with the county circuit court by January 31 the following year.
- Circuit court hearings run from February 1 through May 15. The court will issue an order directing payment if your claim is valid.
Both forms are available through the Michigan Department of Treasury. If your property was sold between 2013 and 2020, check whether the Class Action Settlement Notice procedures apply to your situation. The legal cases mentioned above may also affect your options if your foreclosure occurred in that earlier window.
Michigan Tax Foreclosure Timeline
State law uses a three-year process before a property can be foreclosed for unpaid taxes.
- Year 1: Taxes go delinquent on March 1. A lien is placed on the property.
- Year 2: The property is forfeited on March 1. The owner can still pay to stop the process, but fees and interest are higher.
- Year 3: Foreclosure is final on March 31. The county takes title and can auction the property.
If you receive a notice about forfeiture or foreclosure, do not wait. The redemption window is limited, and once it closes, the property cannot be reclaimed through payment. The surplus process is a separate step that applies after the sale.
Legal Aid and Housing Help in Schoolcraft County
Schoolcraft County residents can get free legal guidance on surplus fund claims and tax foreclosure matters from Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org. The site has step-by-step instructions for Forms 5743 and 5744, plain-language explanations of the surplus claim process, and tools for preparing for a circuit court hearing. No registration or fees are required.
The State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service connects you with an attorney in your area. Call (800) 968-0738 or visit lrs.michbar.org. Given the active litigation involving Schoolcraft County, it may be worth a consultation to understand your specific options.
The Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF) provides grants of up to $25,000 for homeowners who fell behind on taxes or other housing costs due to COVID-19 financial hardship after January 21, 2020. To qualify, you must own and occupy the property as your primary residence and have household income under 150% of the Area Median Income. MIHAF can cover delinquent property taxes, mortgage payments, homeowner's insurance, utilities, and more. Apply at michigan.gov/mihaf.
Other Sources of Unclaimed Money
State unclaimed property and tax surplus claims are the two biggest sources for most residents, but other options exist. The IRS holds undelivered tax refunds that can be found at irs.gov. The Department of Labor maintains a database of abandoned pension plans at dol.gov. Veterans may have unclaimed life insurance or benefit payments through the VA.
Class action settlements sometimes pay small amounts to large numbers of people, and those payments often go unclaimed. If you were part of any consumer class action, a settlement payment may be waiting. Search for your name in settlement databases to check.
Manistique is the county seat and the largest community in Schoolcraft County. It does not currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page, but all county residents can use the same state and county-level resources described here.
Cities in Schoolcraft County
Manistique is the county seat and largest city in Schoolcraft County. It does not currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. Residents throughout the county can use the Michigan state unclaimed property database and the county surplus fund process to find and claim any money owed to them.