Florida surplus funds

Flagler County, Florida surplus funds

The Flagler County Clerk of Court is holding money left over from tax deed sales. Here’s how much, and how a former owner claims it.

$1.38 millionheld from 48 tax deed salesFrom the county’s published list, checked October 15, 2026
Typical amount
$21,754
Largest
$160,814
Sales between
May 2021 and Aug 2026
How much each sale left over
Show as a table
AmountSales
Under $1,0003
$1,000 to $5,0009
$5,000 to $10,0005
$10,000 to $25,00011
$25,000 to $50,00010
$50,000 to $100,0009
$100,000 or more1
Sales with surplus, by year of sale
Show as a table
YearSales
20214
20221
20235
202411
20257
202620

How claims work in Florida

Tax deed sales

When property taxes go unpaid in Florida, the county can sell the property at a tax deed sale. If it sells for more than the opening bid, the difference is surplus, and the county clerk of court holds it.

  • Government liens are paid first. The clerk pays liens held by government bodies, such as other unpaid taxes, before anyone else.
  • The clerk mails a notice to the former owner and others with an interest in the property, such as mortgage holders, saying how much is being held.
  • Claims are filed with the clerk on a sworn, notarized statement of claim. The clerk has to pay valid liens before paying the former titleholder.
  • Lienholders have 120 days from the date of the notice to file. A lienholder who misses that deadline loses any right to the money. The law makes an exception for the property owner, who isn't barred by that deadline.
  • Within 90 days after the claim period, the clerk either pays the claims in order of priority or asks the court to decide, if the claims conflict.
  • If nobody files a claim, the law presumes the former titleholder of record is entitled to the money, and the clerk sends it to Florida's unclaimed property program, where it can still be claimed.

Mortgage foreclosure sales

After a foreclosure sale ordered by a court, any surplus is also held by the clerk. Florida law presumes that the owner of record when the foreclosure was filed is entitled to it, after subordinate lienholders who filed timely claims are paid. A court order directs the clerk to pay it out.

Based on Fla. Stat. § 197.582, tax deed sale surplus and Fla. Stat. § 45.032, mortgage foreclosure surplus. General information, not legal advice. Read more in surplus funds, explained, and if the owner has died, how families claim.

About these figures

They come from the county’s published list (Flagler County Clerk of Court, tax deed surplus list), which we check daily. They cover sales still listed with a surplus balance. Part of a balance may go to mortgage holders or other lienholders before the former owner, and balances can change as claims are paid. We publish totals only, never individual cases; ask us and we’ll look up a specific property.