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County returns millions to those who lost property to tax foreclosure

Millions of dollars are now mak- “This is money that Radio ads, and multilingual materi- Circuit Court before payment can be
ing their way back to Wayne County als aimed at making the process eas- released.
residents who lost property to tax belongs to the people.” ier to understand. The goal was to For claimants who have filed mo-
foreclosure following important remove barriers, spread awareness, tions, the Circuit Court is committed
Michigan court rulings and changes and ensure that eligible former prop- to timely reviewing these claims and
in Michigan law that provide a path Wayne County Treasurer erty owners and interest holders, making final decisions. As court rul-
for former owners and interest hold- many of whom are Wayne County ings are finalized, additional pay-
ers to receive compensation from the Eric R. Sabree residents, had a real opportunity to ments will be issued.
sale of tax foreclosed properties. apply. Even as these payments move for-
In two major cases — Schafer v. terest holders—whose claims have “This is money that belongs to the ward, the Treasurer’s Office stresses
Kent County and Hathon v. State of been approved by the Wayne County people,” said Wayne County Treas- that its top priority is preventing
Michigan — the Michigan Supreme Circuit Court. urer Eric R. Sabree. “When someone foreclosure in the first place.
Court ruled that former property As of January 8, 2026, more than is legally entitled to proceeds from Through payment plans, tax assis-
owners and interest holders may be $3.8 million has already been re- the sale of tax foreclosed property, tance programs, and community
entitled to receive money left over turned to eligible claimants in Wayne we believe it’s our responsibility to partnerships, the office works year-
after their foreclosed property were County. inform people that those dollars are round to help residents stay in their
sold at auction. Because these rulings were new available and can be returned to homes.
Under changes to Michigan law, and unfamiliar to many residents, them.” When foreclosure does occur, the
these “remaining proceeds” are the the Treasurer’s Office took a proac- “People can’t apply for something Wayne County Treasurer’s Office re-
funds remaining once unpaid taxes, tive approach to making sure people if they don’t know it exists,” Sabree mains committed to protecting the
interest, and administrative costs knew they might be eligible to receive said. “We wanted to make sure for- rights of property owners, including
are covered. The Supreme Court rul- remaining proceeds. The office car- mer property owners had clear infor- their right to any surplus funds from
ings applied the changes in the law ried out an extensive informational mation and a fair chance to claim tax foreclosure sales.
to foreclosure sales that took place campaign designed to reach former what’s rightfully theirs.” More information about the re-
before December 22, 2020 and property owners and interest hold- While many payments have al- maining proceeds claims process—
opened the door for eligible resi- ers who may be qualified to file a ready been issued, some claims are as well as property tax assistance
dents across the state to file claims. claim. still working their way through the programs to assist owners with
Since then, the Wayne County That outreach included targeted legal process. Under Michigan law, avoiding foreclosure in the first
Treasurer’s Office has begun issuing social media advertising, direct mail each claim must go through multiple place—is available at WayneCoun-
payments to former owners and in- communication, billboards, TV and steps and receive approval from the tyMI.gov/Treasurer.

10 · February 2026 · The Wayne Dispatch