================================================================================ SURPLUS DOCKET — PRACTITIONER STATUTORY FILING CHECKLIST & DEADLINE PROTOCOL ================================================================================ Version: 2026.1 | Applicable Jurisdictions: Florida, Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, California Document Class: Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Asset Recovery Filers -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. PRE-FILING TITLE & ENCUMBRANCE EXAMINATION (STAGE 1) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [ ] 1.1 Verify Final Auction Certificate of Sale & Certificate of Disbursements. [ ] 1.2 Inspect Official Records (O.R.) for recorded Lis Pendens and Deeds. [ ] 1.3 Verify that senior mortgage balance does not exceed the held surplus. [ ] 1.4 Identify all named defendants and lienholders in final tax decree. [ ] 1.5 Confirm the exact surplus balance held in the clerk/court registry. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. JURISDICTIONAL STATUTORY CLAIM DEADLINES (STAGE 2) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [ ] 2.1 FLORIDA (Fla. Stat. § 197.582): • Deadline: 120 days from the date the clerk mails the Surplus Notice. • Fee Benchmark: 20% cap for non-attorney finders (attorneys exempt). • Venue: County Clerk & Comptroller Tax Deed Department. [ ] 2.2 TEXAS (Tex. Tax Code § 34.04): • Deadline: 2 years from the date of the tax foreclosure sale. • Fee Benchmark: 25% statutory cap on contingent compensation. • Venue: District Court Civil Registry (Motion for Excess Proceeds). [ ] 2.3 GEORGIA (O.C.G.A. § 48-4-5): • Deadline: 5 years from the date of the sheriff/commissioner tax sale. • Fee Benchmark: Statutory lien priority order; non-contingent models. • Venue: Tax Commissioner / Sheriff Civil Division. [ ] 2.4 NORTH CAROLINA (N.C.G.S. § 105-374 / § 1-339.25): • Deadline: 10-day upset bid period following report of sale; claim filed within statutory retention period. • Fee Benchmark: Strict judicial scrutiny; subject to State Bar ethics rules on contingent asset recovery. • Venue: Superior Court Civil Registry (Special Proceedings Division). [ ] 2.5 TENNESSEE (T.C.A. § 67-5-2501): • Deadline: Motion filed within 1 year from the date of confirmation of the tax sale. • Fee Benchmark: Governed by court rule and TN Rules of Professional Conduct. • Venue: Chancery Court / Circuit Court Registry (Motion for Excess Sale Proceeds). [ ] 2.6 CALIFORNIA (Cal. Rev. & Tax Code § 4675): • Deadline: 1 year from the date the tax deed to the purchaser is recorded. • Fee Benchmark: Strict written assignment disclosures; attorney representation permitted under state bar guidelines. • Venue: County Board of Supervisors / County Auditor-Controller. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. CLIENT ENGAGEMENT & AUTHORITY DOCUMENTATION (STAGE 3) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [ ] 3.1 Executed Client Retainer / Fee Agreement with statutory disclosures. [ ] 3.2 Limited Power of Attorney (LPOA) or Representation Authorization. [ ] 3.3 Proof of Identity: Government-issued photo ID of former owner/heir. [ ] 3.4 In Probate / Estate matters: Certified Letters of Administration or Affidavit of Heirship establishing lawful beneficiary standing. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. DRAFTING & COURT SUBMISSION (STAGE 4) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [ ] 4.1 Prepare Verified Claim / Motion for Distribution of Excess Funds. [ ] 4.2 Attach Exhibit A: Copy of Recorded Deed / Chain of Title. [ ] 4.3 Attach Exhibit B: Executed Representation Agreement & LPOA. [ ] 4.4 Attach Exhibit C: Certificate of Sale & Official Tax Deed Notice. [ ] 4.5 Serve copies upon all interested parties / county attorney if required. [ ] 4.6 File Motion electronically via Court E-Filing Portal (or hand-deliver). [ ] 4.7 Calendar hearing date or submit Proposed Order for judicial review. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Published by Surplus Docket — Autonomous Public Records Intelligence Website: https://surplusdocket.com | Newsroom: https://surplusdocket.com/press/ ================================================================================