Hazel Karen Nicolas Gonzales

Understanding the final steps before receiving your excess proceeds Getting the news that your surplus funds claim has been approved is an exciting moment—especially after navigating paperwork, verification, and court reviews. But many homeowners and heirs are surprised to learn that approval is not always the final step. There are still several important stages between approval and actually receiving your funds. Here’s a clear breakdown of what typically happens next, how long it may take,...

Understanding when in-person appearances are required—and when they’re not. Recovering surplus funds after a foreclosure can be a confusing process, especially when homeowners or heirs are unsure whether they must attend a court hearing to receive their excess proceeds. While some cases require an in-person or virtual hearing, many do not—it all depends on the county, the complexity of the claim, and whether there are disputes. Here’s everything you need to know about when court hearings...

Understanding how POA authority works in foreclosure surplus recovery When a property goes through foreclosure and sells for more than the amount owed, the extra money—called surplus funds—belongs to the former homeowner or their rightful heirs. But what happens if the homeowner is unavailable, incapacitated, out of state, or needs someone to act on their behalf? In these cases, a Power of Attorney (POA) can play an important role. However, not all POAs are the same, and not all are accepted...