Surplus funds in Alabama: the rules, straight.
State law tightly limits (or bars) contingency recovery here, so intake is case-by-case with counsel review first.
Foreclosure / mortgage surplus
Legal — no statutory fee cap found pre-escheat.
Mortgagee holds (common law); demand.
Tax sale overages
State law bars standard contingency recovery on this stream — attorney-only or no lawful lane.
County commission (§ 40-10-28) — excess paid ONLY on proof of redemption.
Structural bar: the owner must redeem to touch the overage. Not a contingency lane.
Courtroom requirement: Process here varies enough that we route files through counsel review — included in the same contingency deal.
If nobody claims it: Excess bid: 3 yrs → county; 10-year redemption tail.
Cars, boats & RVs in Alabama: Vehicle/boat/RV repo surplus: UCC § 9-615(d) obliges the LENDER to return the surplus; § 9-616 explanation on request; § 9-625(c)(2) statutory damages for noncompliance. Demand-letter work against the secured party — no county, no state surplus-fee cap in this table.
This page summarizes public statutes for general information — it is not legal advice, rules change, and unverified items are confirmed by our desk (and counsel where needed) before any agreement is papered.
Think Alabama is holding your money?
Five minutes, zero cost. We verify the record and tell you the truth about what's there — including when the answer is nothing.