Foreclosure surplus & overbid funds
When a foreclosed property sells for more than the debt and approved claims, remaining funds may be owed to the former owner, heirs, or other entitled parties.
Public-record asset recovery
Recover funds that may already belong to you.
Star Asset Recovery researches public records to identify surplus funds and unclaimed financial assets that may be owed to individuals, heirs, estates, and organizations after foreclosure sales, tax sales, or other public proceedings.
Claim deadlines apply. Some windows close in as little as one year.
Public-record research
No upfront fee where permitted
Clear eligibility review
Attorney-Supported
Backed by legal professionals to ensure accuracy and peace of mind.
Court-Filed Claims
Filed directly with the court, never through shortcuts or workarounds.
No Upfront Fees
We are paid only when you recover. No out-of-pocket cost to start.
Real-Time Claim Updates
Clear communication at every stage. You always know where your case stands.
Why we contacted you
We may have found public records connected to funds you did not know existed.
Many people never receive or recognize official notices after a foreclosure, tax sale, estate matter, or business closure. Our role is to investigate public records, locate possible rightful claimants, and help them understand the next step.
If you received a letter from Star
It likely means we found a public-record connection between you, a prior property, an estate, a business, or a recorded asset proceeding. Receiving a letter does not guarantee funds are owed, but it does mean the record is worth reviewing.
- We explain the public record we found in plain language.
- We verify whether you may be an eligible claimant.
- We identify what documents may be required.
- We outline the claim process before you sign anything.
Barbara Kennedy, Founder
Who we are
"I started this because I watched people I care about lose everything. Then lose more because no one told them the money was still there."
Growing up in Oregon, I watched neighbors and family friends go through foreclosure and tax sales. The loss was devastating. What no one told them, and what I didn't fully understand until years later, was that many of them had money coming back. Surplus funds from those same sales sitting in county accounts, quietly expiring, while the people who deserved them moved on with no idea the funds were there.
I founded Star Asset Recovery to find those records and make sure the right people know about them before the deadlines close. We are a small team based in Salem, Oregon. We take cases personally. We explain everything in plain language. And we do not win unless you do.
How it works
We do the work. You get the check.
We handle the paperwork, legal filings, and communication so you do not have to. Here is how we simplify the process from start to finish.
1
Claim Identification & Free Review
We dig through county and court records to confirm the surplus amount and verify the legal status of the funds. You receive a clear, no-obligation assessment that explains exactly what we found and why it may be owed to you.
What you avoid
Hours of confusing research and government websites. We confirm everything for you at no cost.
2
The Legal Agreement & Client Onboarding
We formalize our partnership through a simple, one-page no-win, no-fee agreement that clearly outlines your recovery percentage and protects your rights throughout the entire process.
What you avoid
Upfront costs, hidden fees, and the stress of dealing with hourly-rate attorneys or complicated contracts.
3
Comprehensive Record Retrieval & Claim Preparation
We collect all required court and foreclosure documents, prepare the legal petition, and ensure everything is properly notarized and verified before anything is submitted.
What you avoid
Running between offices or risking rejection from a single missing or incorrect form.
4
Legal Preparation & Filing
We file your completed petition directly with the court, monitor the docket daily, and handle all communication with trustees or lien holders on your behalf throughout the process.
What you avoid
Missed deadlines, rejected claims, or the stress of navigating the court system alone.
5
Secure Final Release & Payout
Once the court approves, we coordinate the secure transfer of your funds by your preferred method and confirm in writing when your case is fully closed and settled.
What you avoid
Weeks of waiting, confusion over wire transfers, or uncertainty about when your money arrives.
Fund types
Where surplus funds can come from
Surplus funds are created when a property or asset sells for more than the debt, taxes, penalties, fees, or valid claims owed. The exact rules depend on the state, county, court, and type of sale.
Tax sale surplus proceeds
When a tax-foreclosed property sells for more than the taxes, penalties, costs, and fees owed, excess proceeds may be available to the prior owner of record.
Unclaimed property & estate assets
Funds may also sit with state treasurers, courts, businesses, or other custodians after checks, accounts, estate distributions, or business assets go unclaimed.
Client stories
People who almost walked away from their own money.
Most of our clients received a letter and almost threw it away. Here is what happened when they didn't.
★★★★★
"I almost threw the letter away. That would have been a $14,000 mistake. Barbara's team explained everything clearly and never once pressured me. Six weeks later I had a check I didn't know existed."
★★★★★
"My father passed away leaving behind a complicated estate. I had no idea there were surplus funds connected to a property sale from years before. Star Asset Recovery found it and walked our family through every step."
★★★★★
"Two months from the day I called to the day the funds hit my account. They kept me updated throughout and were straightforward about everything. I was skeptical at first. I shouldn't have been."
Free, no-obligation
Start your claim review.
Tell us the basics. We will confirm whether there appears to be a recoverable claim and explain everything in plain language before asking you to sign anything.
No upfront fee
Your information stays private
You can decline at any time
Who may be eligible?
Eligibility depends on the fund type and applicable law. Common claimants include:
- Former homeowners after foreclosure or tax sale
- Heirs or estates of deceased former owners
- Business owners, dissolved entities, or authorized representatives
- Trustees, personal representatives, or legal fiduciaries
- Junior lienholders or other parties with recorded claims, depending on priority rules
What we may need from you
The goal is to confirm identity and establish the connection between you and the funds. Required documents vary, but may include:
- Government ID and current contact information
- Former property address, county, or sale information
- Probate, heirship, death certificate, or estate documents
- Business registration or authorization records
- Signed authorization or claim documents when required
FAQ
Questions people ask first
We hear the same concerns from almost everyone we contact. Here are honest answers to the questions that matter most.
Is Star Asset Recovery a legitimate company?
Yes. Star Asset Recovery is a registered Oregon LLC with a verifiable business history. Every case we present to you is based on a public court or county record you can verify independently. We explain what we found before asking for any personal information, we do not charge upfront fees, and we do not pressure you to sign anything. You can review all terms at your pace, consult anyone you choose, and decline at any point. If you want to look up the public record we found or verify our business registration, we will help you do that.
How long does the process take?
Most claims resolve in 30 to 90 days, though timelines vary depending on the county, fund type, court calendar, and documentation requirements. More complex cases involving estates or multiple parties may take longer. We give you a realistic timeline at the start of your review and keep you updated at every stage. You will never be left wondering what is happening with your case.
Do I have to pay anything upfront?
No. Our preferred model is no upfront fee where legally permitted. We work on contingency: if we do not recover funds on your behalf, you owe us nothing. Any fee arrangement is disclosed in writing before work begins and is subject to any state-specific restrictions that may apply in your jurisdiction.
What percentage do you charge?
Our fee is a percentage of the funds we successfully recover on your behalf. The specific percentage is disclosed clearly in writing before any work begins and is competitive with industry norms. It is also subject to any state-mandated fee caps that may apply in your jurisdiction. You will know the exact terms before you sign anything.
Can I do this on my own?
In many cases, yes. Official state unclaimed property programs allow owners to search and file directly at no cost. County courts where surplus funds are held are public institutions, and records are accessible. The challenge is that the process involves multiple offices, specific legal forms, notarization requirements, strict filing deadlines, and knowledge of which jurisdiction is holding your specific funds. Many people start the process and abandon it when a form is rejected or a deadline passes quietly. Our job is to handle that complexity so you don't have to. And because we work on contingency, you only pay if we succeed.
What states do you work in?
We currently assist clients primarily in Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, and several additional western and southern states. If you are outside these areas, contact us. Surplus fund laws and recovery procedures vary significantly by state, and we only take on cases where we can represent you properly. We are happy to refer you to a qualified specialist in your jurisdiction if we cannot assist directly.
Why did no one tell me about this before?
Notices may go to an old address, an estate may not be settled, business records may be outdated, or the owner may not recognize the significance of a foreclosure, tax sale, or court notice. Counties are required to make an attempt at notification, but they are not required to track you down if the notice is not received. That is why public-record research can uncover funds people did not know to look for.
Do you guarantee funds will be recovered?
No. A public record may indicate a possible claim, but eligibility must be verified. Funds may be subject to competing claims, documentation requirements, deadlines, lien priorities, state rules, or prior disbursement. We are honest about this from the start. If a claim does not look viable after review, we will tell you rather than pursue it.
What happens after I submit my information?
Barbara's team reviews the record, confirms whether there appears to be a legitimate claim, explains the possible custodian and recovery path, and identifies what documentation would be needed. No claim is filed on your behalf without your authorization. You stay in control of the process at every step.
A note on transparency: In many states, you can search and file for unclaimed property directly through official state programs at no cost. Our service is for people who want help navigating the research, documentation, and court filing process. Any fee arrangement is disclosed in writing before work begins and must comply with applicable state law. You can always decline.
Funds may already be waiting. Deadlines are not.
Claim windows on surplus funds vary by state and close permanently. A free review takes minutes and costs nothing. Find out if funds are owed before the deadline passes.