Georgia has some of the highest tax sale volumes in the Southeast. When your property sold for more than what was owed, that surplus is legally yours. DFH has recovered funds in all 159 Georgia counties and knows every step of the state's claim process.
Georgia has specific statutes governing excess proceeds from tax sales. Understanding the law is half the battle — we've navigated it hundreds of times.
Under Georgia law, when a property is sold at a tax sale for more than the amount of taxes, fees, and costs owed, the excess funds are held by the county. They don't come to you automatically — you have to petition to recover them.
The former property owner has the first claim to surplus funds. If the original owner has passed, their heirs or estate may petition. Lienholders (mortgagees, HOAs) may also have subordinate claims. Georgia courts adjudicate competing claims.
Georgia imposes a statute of limitations on surplus fund claims. Funds that go unclaimed can ultimately be transferred to the state. The sooner you start the claim process, the stronger your position. Don't wait.
Governed by O.C.G.A. § 48-4-5. County Tax Commissioner holds funds pending petition and court order.
Post-sale surplus from judicial or non-judicial foreclosures follows different procedures. Lender must account for any overages to the borrower.
Metro Atlanta counties generate the most surplus fund activity in the state. Here's what to expect by county.
DFH covers all 159 Georgia counties. Search by name in our lookup tool.
Search all Georgia records →* Surplus ranges are estimates based on historical county data and are not guarantees. Actual amounts vary by property and sale. Claim deadlines are governed by Georgia statute and court schedules at the time of filing.
If a parent, grandparent, or relative lost a property in a Georgia tax sale, those surplus funds may still be waiting. Georgian law allows heirs to petition for recovery.
Many families don't realize that surplus funds from a deceased relative's property sale can survive for years — waiting to be claimed. Under Georgia law, the former property owner's estate or heirs can petition the Superior Court to recover those funds.
The process requires demonstrating your relationship to the deceased, establishing heirship, and in some cases going through Georgia's probate process. It's navigable — but the paperwork is real, and the court has specific requirements.
If your parent or family member lost a property in a Georgia tax sale, the surplus may still be waiting. We've handled heir claims across the state and will guide you through every step.
If a tax sale occurred before or after death, heirs can claim surplus. The estate may need to be opened in Georgia probate court first if it wasn't already.
Families often discover surplus funds exist years after the fact. As long as the funds haven't escheated to the state, the claim can still be filed. Time matters — act now.
Georgia courts can adjudicate competing heir claims. We work with estate attorneys when complexity requires it, ensuring the strongest claim is presented to the court.
The claim must be filed in Georgia regardless of where heirs live. DFH handles the Georgia process on your behalf — you don't need to travel to file.
No upfront fees. No hidden costs. We only get paid when you do — and the more we recover, the less we take.
| Recovered Amount | Our Fee | You Keep |
|---|---|---|
| Under $5,000 minimum fee floor | 35% | 65% |
| $5,000 – $14,999 | 30% | 70% |
| $15,000 – $29,999 | 25% | 75% |
| $30,000 – $49,999 | 20% | 80% |
| $50,000 – $99,999 | 15% | 85% |
| $100,000+ | 10–12% | 88–90% |
Fees are contingency-based — you pay nothing unless we recover funds. Georgia court filing costs, where required, are advanced by DFH and deducted from recovery.
We're not a national clearinghouse that happens to cover Georgia. Georgia is where we started. It's the market we know best.
We know Georgia's surplus funds statute inside out — including the nuances that trip up out-of-state firms.
Georgia surplus claims go through Superior Court. We've filed petitions in counties across the state and know each court's process.
The 2023 Supreme Court ruling affirmed that surplus funds belong to property owners. Georgia courts have followed this precedent — strengthening your position.
We advance all costs and take our fee only from the recovery. If we don't recover, you owe nothing.
Many Georgia surplus fund claims involve deceased property owners. We specialize in navigating Georgia probate and heir documentation requirements.
From Fulton to Echols. Rural counties included. We know which counties move fast and which need extra follow-up.
Surplus funds from Georgia tax sales have a statute of limitations. The longer you wait, the smaller the window gets. Start your search now — it's free.
Questions? Reach us at customerservice@dfhrs.com
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