Surplus funds in Pennsylvania: the rules, straight.
We work this state today — records, filings, and payouts move on the standard timeline.
Foreclosure / mortgage surplus
Legal — no statutory fee cap found pre-escheat.
Sheriff files the distribution schedule ≤30 days after sale; exceptions within 10 (Pa. R.C.P. 3136). Owners get paid FAST.
No pre-escheat cap.
Tax sale overages
Legal — no statutory fee cap found pre-escheat.
Tax Claim Bureau; owner claims per 72 P.S. § 5860.205; petition when contested.
County-by-county practice varies — start with the big counties.
Courtroom requirement: Standard claims here are administrative — no attorney legally required for a routine filing.
If nobody claims it: Tax Claim Bureau holds ~3 yrs → taxing districts. Post-escheat: 15% cap + finder registration (72 P.S. § 1301.11a).
Cars, boats & RVs in Pennsylvania: 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.
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