How Long Does It Take to Get Surplus Funds in Union County, Florida? (Florida Guide)
How to Claim Surplus Funds After a Tax Deed Sale in Lake Butler, Raiford & Surrounding Areas
If your property in Union County—whether in Lake Butler, Raiford, Worthington Springs, Providence, or any surrounding rural communities—was recently sold at a tax deed auction, you may be entitled to surplus funds.
Surplus funds (also called excess proceeds) are the remaining money after the county satisfies all outstanding taxes and liens. These funds legally belong to the former property owner or qualifying heirs—but Union County does not notify people aggressively, and many homeowners miss their chance or lose their claim due to paperwork errors.
This guide explains who is eligible, how the process works, how long it takes, why claims get denied, and how Visionary Surplus Recovery helps homeowners recover money quickly, including probate, heirship issues, and rejected claims.
The Equity Surplus Claims Department manages the entire process to minimize delays and prevent costly mistakes.
Return to Main Index:
👉 Florida Tax Deed Surplus Funds by County (2025 Guide)
What Are Tax Deed Surplus Funds in Union County?
When a property is sold at a Union County tax deed auction for more than the delinquent taxes owed, the leftover balance is called surplus funds.
Example
Taxes owed: $3,100
Winning bid: $38,500
Those funds belong to:
The former property owner
Approved heirs
A probate estate
Lienholders (in limited, prioritized situations)
But unlike state refunds or federal payouts, surplus funds are not automatic.
You must file a legally valid surplus claim, and mistakes can:
delay your claim for months
allow lienholders to take priority
cause the county to reject your claim
result in your funds being transferred to the State of Florida as unclaimed property
Who Can Claim Surplus Funds in Union County?
You may be eligible if you are one of the following:
✔ The Former Property Owner
You still keep legal rights to the surplus (your remaining equity) even after the tax sale.
✔ Heirs of the Deceased Property Owner
This often requires probate, which Visionary Surplus Recovery assists with.
✔ A Personal Representative of an Estate
If the owner passed away, the estate may claim funds.
✔ Someone With a Valid Legal or Equitable Interest
This may include:
pre-existing lienholders
judgment creditors
individuals with court-validated interest
Not Eligible:
Strangers with no legal interest
Unregistered third-party investors attempting to claim equity
Anyone offering illegal upfront-fee services
Visionary Surplus Recovery verifies your eligibility instantly using the Confirm Surplus Eligibility Tool.
Common Problems Homeowners Face in Union County
Union County is small, but its documentation requirements are strict—and many claims fail due to preventable errors.
❌ Incorrect claim form submitted
Submitting the wrong Surplus Claim Form = automatic rejection.
❌ Missing notarization or incomplete fields
This is one of the most common reasons Union County delays claims.
❌ Probate not filed when the owner is deceased
Without legal authority, Union County cannot release the funds.
❌ Addressing the wrong lien priority
Some lienholders have priority rights depending on the circumstances.
❌ Missed statutory deadlines
Union County surplus funds eventually transfer to the Florida Department of Financial Services.
❌ Documents sent to the wrong department
The Union County Clerk of Court & Comptroller handles all surplus matters, but many people send forms incorrectly.
More than 60% of DIY claims fail because of avoidable steps.
This is where a professional recovery team is essential.
Union County Tax Deed Surplus Funds Timeline (Realistic 2025 Timeframes)
Most claims follow this timeline:
Step 1 — Tax deed auction occurs
The property sells and surplus (if any) is calculated.
Step 2 — Claims window opens
You may file immediately.
Step 3 — Union County review period begins
This typically starts around 60–120 days after the auction.
Step 4 — Clerk investigates liens & eligibility
This includes reviewing:
owner documents
heirship verification
probate status
lienholder claims
Step 5 — Determination issued
Your claim may be:
approved
partially approved
denied
delayed pending additional documentation
Step 6 — Disbursement
Once approved, payment typically arrives within 3–6 weeks.
Total realistic timeline: 3–6 months
More complicated cases (probate, multiple heirs, disputes) can take 6–10 months.
How Visionary Surplus Recovery Helps Homeowners in Union County
We specialize in recovering surplus funds for homeowners—especially in complicated cases involving:
probate
missing heirs
lienholder disputes
denied or rejected claims
elderly homeowners
estate issues
incorrect filings
Our services include:
✔ Full Claim Preparation
We complete and submit all documents correctly the first time.
✔ Probate Included
If probate is required, we coordinate the legal process.
✔ Dedicated Claims Manager
Your file is assigned to:
📩 claimsmanager@visionarysurplusrecovery.com
✔ No Upfront Costs
You pay nothing unless we recover your funds.
✔ Direct Communication With the Union County Clerk of Court & Comptroller
We handle all inquiries, updates, and follow-ups.
✔ Multiple payout options
Wire
Zelle
Certified check
✔ Equity Protection
We ensure lienholders do not overreach and take funds they are not entitled to.
Major Cities & Communities in Union County We Serve
This page is optimized for all areas where tax deed sales occur in Union County:
Primary Cities
Lake Butler
Raiford
Worthington Springs
Rural Communities & Surrounding Areas
Dukes
Johnstown
Providence
Little Springs
Beulah
SE & SW Union County agricultural zones
What If You're Trying to Sell the Property Instead?
If you still own the property and want a fast solution instead of waiting months for surplus processes:
Our partner company, Visionary Estates UPP LLC, can provide:
Fast cash offers
Closings in 7–14 days
Full handling of liens, title issues, HOA violations, or mortgage problems
This gives homeowners another way to relieve financial pressure immediately.
How to Start Your Claim Today
Complete the Confirm Surplus Eligibility Tool
A specialist reviews your results
We contact you with surplus amount & next steps
Visionary Surplus Recovery prepares your full claim file
Your Claims Manager handles everything with Union County
No stress. No paperwork headaches. No dealing with the county.
Final Reminder: Don’t Wait
Union County surplus funds expire, and once they move to the State of Florida, the retrieval process becomes much harder.
If your property—whether in Lake Butler, Raiford, Worthington Springs, or anywhere in Union County—was sold at a tax deed auction…
You may be owed thousands of dollars in equity that legally belongs to you.
Visionary Surplus Recovery is here to help you recover it.

