When a property is sold at a Cobb County tax sale for more than the delinquent taxes, penalties, and costs owed, the leftover money (called excess funds, surplus funds, or overage) is held in escrow by the Tax Commissioner. Under O.C.G.A. ยง 48-4-5, that money legally belongs to the former owner (or their heirs and certain lienholders), not the county and not the tax-sale buyer. Below is every record from the county's current published list.
Cobb County excess funds list (June 30, 2026)
| Former owner | Overage owed | Parcel / Map # | Sale date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burch, Willard & Betty Ann | $274,514.15 | 17-1067-0-109-0 | May 3, 2022 | Claim pending |
| Curic, Ankica & Antonija | $200,448.81 | 17-0664-0-086-0 | May 5, 2026 | Unclaimed |
| Sanford, Ernest W Iii 7 Joan D | $138,078.61 | 18-0098-0-015-0 | Dec 5, 2023 | Claim pending |
| Alphin, Margaret Fincher | $127,255.61 | 17-0248-0-011-0 | Nov 1, 2022 | Claim pending |
| Stafford, Jeremy | $64,814.95 | 18-0160-0-022-0 | Nov 4, 2025 | Unclaimed |
| Brown Thomas A The Estate Of | $59,898.18 | 18-0415-0-006-0 | Sep 1, 2020 | Claim pending |
| Warren Shirley G Estate Of | $56,282.99 | 18-0308-0-009-0 | Sep 1, 2020 | Claim pending |
| Reed, Matthew | $52,903.69 | 18-0587-0-047-0 | May 7, 2024 | Claim pending |
| Fancy Flair Properties Llc | $47,583.28 | 17-0022-0-001-0 | Nov 5, 2024 | Unclaimed |
| Mourko, Vassili | $45,971.61 | 16-1097-0-007-0 | May 3, 2022 | Claim pending |
| Hasty, B N Aka Hasty, Bobby N A/K/A Hasty, Robert N | $32,508.71 | 19-0928-0-074-0 | Oct 5, 2021 | Claim pending |
| Fincher, Mary C/O Bufford Casandra | $26,986.92 | 18-0137-0-006-0 | Oct 5, 2021 | Claim pending |
| Patel Rupa | $26,547.77 | 18-0583-0-005-0 | Sep 1, 2020 | Unclaimed |
| Churchill Prima Fund Cpf Llc | $21,893.91 | 19-1196-0-023-0 | May 3, 2022 | Claim pending |
| Churchill Prima Fund Cpf Llc | $20,797.47 | 19-1195-0-003-0 | May 3, 2022 | Claim pending |
| Bentley, Kelvin | $15,280.22 | 16-0512-0-010-0 | Nov 4, 2025 | Unclaimed |
| Vision 278 Llc | $14,405.90 | 19-0662-0-003-0 | Dec 5, 2023 | Claim pending |
| Harrison Carole G | $13,541.30 | 20-0183-0-019-0 | May 4, 2021 | Claim pending |
| Bmw Homes Inc | $11,676.19 | 20-0077-0-038-0 | Sep 1, 2020 | Claim pending |
| Guy Dawna M | $9,108.97 | 20-0129-0-029-0 | May 4, 2021 | Claim pending |
| Richard L Roberts | $7,829.34 | 16-0864-0-001-0 | May 4, 2021 | Claim pending |
| Southland Land Specialist Llc | $7,375.70 | 18-0407-0-005-0 | May 4, 2021 | Claim pending |
| Diversified Developments Inc | $5,530.81 | 20-0147-0-098-0 | Sep 1, 2020 | Unclaimed |
| Watson, Cameron Wiley | $4,915.95 | 16-0375-0-035-0 | Nov 4, 2025 | Unclaimed |
| Heath James R Iii & Freier Dwayne | $4,381.09 | 18-0075-0-037-0 | May 4, 2021 | Claim pending |
| Substance Of Hope Foundation | $4,271.57 | 20-0129-0-051-0 | May 4, 2021 | Claim pending |
| Diversified Developments Inc | $3,330.81 | 20-0147-0-118-0 | Sep 1, 2020 | Unclaimed |
| Moses Marinelle Crough | $2,442.91 | 18-0024-0-009-0 | Sep 1, 2020 | Unclaimed |
| John Ekanem Mercy | $2,008.89 | 20-0306-0-089-0 | Sep 1, 2020 | Claim pending |
| Frontier Development Inc | $1,452.45 | 20-0166-0-326-0 | Sep 1, 2020 | Unclaimed |
| Couch Donna Jean | $1,077.03 | 17-0297-0-086-0 | Sep 1, 2020 | Claim pending |
Source: Tax Commissioner, Excess Funds List. Amounts are the county-published overage at time of sale; balances change as claims are paid. Verify current status with the county before filing.
How to claim excess funds in Cobb County
- Confirm you are on the list. Find your name (or the prior owner's, if you are an heir) in the table above and note the parcel and sale date.
- Write your claim. Prepare a written statement of the basis of your claim: that you were the owner at the time of sale (or an heir or lienholder with a recorded interest).
- Sign and notarize it, and gather a valid government-issued photo ID plus supporting documents (warranty deed, security deed, assignments, power of attorney).
- Submit to the Tax Commissioner at Cobb County Tax Commissioner, P.O. Box 100127, Marietta, GA 30061-7027.
- Respond to any follow-up. Claims are reviewed by counsel; you may be asked for additional documentation before disbursement.
Do it yourself, or get help?
Most straightforward owner claims can be filed directly with the county for free, and you never have to pay anyone to get your own money. For estates, tangled liens, out-of-state heirs, or interpleader cases, some people prefer a surplus-recovery specialist or attorney who handles the paperwork for a fee (commonly 10% to 30%).
Frequently asked questions
Are there really unclaimed surplus funds in Cobb County, Georgia?
Yes. As of June 30, 2026, the published excess funds list for Cobb County shows 31 tax-sale surplus records totaling $1,305,115.79, of which about $372,347.96 across 10 records is still unclaimed. Surplus (excess) funds are created when a property sells at a tax sale for more than the taxes and costs owed; the difference legally belongs to the former owner or their heirs.
How do I claim excess funds from a Cobb County tax sale?
Request the claim form from the Tax Commissioner. Submit a written, signed, and notarized claim to the Tax Commissioner stating the basis of your claim, along with a valid photo ID, at Cobb County Tax Commissioner, P.O. Box 100127, Marietta, GA 30061-7027. Include supporting documents such as deeds, assignments, or powers of attorney.
How long do I have to claim surplus funds in Georgia?
In Georgia, tax-sale excess funds are generally held by the county for up to 5 years before they transfer to the state unclaimed property division. Claiming sooner is always better.
Do I have to pay a recovery company to claim my money?
No. You can file a claim directly with the county for free. Recovery firms and attorneys can handle the paperwork for a fee (commonly 10% to 30%), which some owners prefer for estate, lien, or interpleader situations, but it is never required.
What does "interpleader filed" mean on the list?
When there are competing or conflicting claims, the county may file an interpleader action with the Superior Court, and a judge decides how the funds are distributed. Reasonable attorney fees and court costs are paid from the excess funds first.
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and is not legal or financial advice. Records are compiled from publicly available Tax Commissioner filings and may be out of date; balances change as claims are processed. Always verify current status directly with the county. We are a data service and do not file claims, represent claimants, or collect funds.