Claim Review Disclaimer

A claim review — also referred to as a preliminary educational review — is a process in which NEPEX reviews the information you provide to help you understand whether excess proceeds may exist in a given situation. The review is designed to:

• Identify whether a property was sold through a type of sale that can produce excess proceeds (such as a foreclosure, tax sale, sheriff sale, or HOA sale)
• Determine which county, court, or government entity may hold any resulting funds
• Assess what general types of claims may be possible based on the information provided
• Identify what documents may need to be gathered to pursue a claim
• Evaluate whether the matter may benefit from attorney involvement or professional referral
• Provide general educational information about the process, deadlines, and considerations relevant to the situation

Think of a claim review as a research-based educational assessment — a way to understand the lay of the land before deciding whether and how to move forward. It is not a legal opinion, not a claim filing, and not a guarantee of any outcome.

A claim review submitted through NEPEX is not:

• A legal filing. It is not filed with any court, government agency, or other tribunal. It does not initiate a formal claim process.
• A claim submission to a government entity. It does not put any government entity on notice of your claim, and no government entity receives, processes, or acts on the review.
• Legal advice or a legal opinion. It does not constitute legal advice and does not provide a legal opinion about your rights, obligations, or the validity of any potential claim.
• A representation agreement. It does not engage NEPEX — or anyone affiliated with NEPEX — to represent you in any legal, administrative, or claims process.
• A guarantee of recovery. It does not guarantee, promise, or predict that funds exist, that you are eligible to claim them, or that any funds will be recovered.
• A substitute for attorney review. It does not replace the advice, analysis, or representation of a qualified attorney licensed in the relevant jurisdiction.

Submitting a Claim Review request does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and National Excess Proceeds Exchange, or between you and any attorney, law firm, or professional who may later become involved in your matter.

NEPEX is not a law firm. We do not provide legal representation. The Claim Review process is an educational service provided by a private educational organization, not a legal service provided by a law firm.

Information you share through the Claim Review form is not protected by attorney-client privilege or the work product doctrine. It is information you provide to a private educational organization for the purpose of an educational review. If you need the protections of attorney-client privilege, you must engage a licensed attorney directly and establish a formal attorney-client relationship.

Submitting a Claim Review request does not mean that excess proceeds, surplus funds, or any recoverable money exists. In many cases, no funds are available. A claim review may conclude that:

• No excess proceeds were generated from the sale
• Any proceeds that existed have already been disbursed to another party
• Any proceeds that existed have been escheated or transferred to the state, potentially triggering different rules and deadlines
• Insufficient information is available to determine whether proceeds exist

The claim review helps determine whether further investigation is warranted. It is not a finding that funds exist or that you are entitled to them.

Even if excess proceeds exist, you may not be eligible to claim them, and recovery is not guaranteed. Eligibility and recovery depend on numerous factors including:

• Statutory deadlines. Many jurisdictions have strict deadlines for filing excess proceeds claims. If the deadline has passed, the claim may be barred regardless of whether funds exist.
• Documentation. You may need specific documents to establish your claim — such as proof of former ownership, proof of heirship, death certificates, probate orders, or trust documents. If these documents cannot be located or authenticated, the claim may be denied.
• Competing claims. Other parties may have filed claims for the same funds, including other former owners, heirs, lienholders, or creditors. Priority rules determine who receives funds when multiple claims exist.
• Jurisdictional rules. Each state and county has its own statutes, court rules, and administrative procedures governing excess proceeds claims. What works in one jurisdiction may not work in another.
• Court or agency discretion. The judge, clerk, or agency official reviewing the claim has discretion in applying the rules and evaluating the evidence. Outcomes cannot be predicted with certainty.

NEPEX does not guarantee that any individual or entity will recover funds. Anyone who guarantees, promises, or predicts recovery is making a claim they cannot reliably support.

You are responsible for providing accurate, complete, and truthful information when submitting a Claim Review request. Providing false, misleading, or incomplete information may:

• Lead to incorrect conclusions about whether excess proceeds exist
• Waste time and resources pursuing leads based on incorrect information
• Affect the validity of any subsequent claim filed with a court or government agency
• Expose you to legal liability if the information is knowingly false

If you are unsure about specific details — such as the exact sale date, the former owner's full legal name, or the correct parcel number — please note that uncertainty when you submit the form. It is better to acknowledge what you do not know than to provide incorrect information.

After completing a preliminary educational review, NEPEX may:

• Provide educational information about what was found and what it may mean
• Recommend that you gather additional documents or information
• Suggest that you consult with a qualified attorney, particularly if the matter appears to involve complex legal questions, competing claims, or approaching deadlines
• Coordinate a referral to a qualified professional (attorney, title professional, probate specialist) where appropriate and with your consent
• Inform you that no excess proceeds appear to exist based on the information reviewed

NEPEX does not file claims on your behalf. If a claim is to be filed, it will be filed either by you directly or by an attorney you engage — not by NEPEX. NEPEX's role is educational assessment and referral coordination, not claims processing or legal representation.

NEPEX does not charge a fee for submitting a Claim Review request. The preliminary educational review is provided at no cost to the person submitting the inquiry.

If, after the educational review, you choose to pursue a claim, you may incur costs including:

• Attorney fees if you engage legal counsel (which may be hourly, flat-fee, or contingency-based)
• Court filing fees charged by the court where a claim is filed
• Costs for obtaining certified copies of documents (death certificates, court orders, property records)
• Fees for title searches, property record retrieval, or other research services

Before signing any agreement or paying any fee, you should understand exactly what you are paying for, who you are paying, and what you can expect in return. NEPEX encourages you to ask questions and read any agreement carefully before signing.

When submitting a Claim Review or dealing with anyone who offers to help you recover excess proceeds, remember these consumer protection principles:

• Read before you sign. Do not sign any document you do not fully understand. If necessary, have an attorney review it before you sign.
• Ask about fees. Understand all fees, costs, and payment terms before agreeing to work with anyone. Ask whether fees are hourly, flat, or contingency-based, and what percentage or amount you will pay.
• Verify identity. Confirm who you are dealing with. Check licenses where applicable. Be skeptical of anyone who refuses to clearly identify themselves or their organization.
• Beware of guarantees. No one can guarantee that excess proceeds exist or will be recovered. Be skeptical of anyone who makes such guarantees.
• Beware of pressure. Do not let anyone pressure you into making quick decisions. Legitimate professionals give you time to consider your options.
• Get it in writing. Any agreement regarding fees, services, or representation should be in writing. Keep copies of everything you sign.
• You may not need a paid service. In some cases, you may be able to file a claim directly with the relevant court or government agency without paying anyone. Consider exploring this option before engaging a paid service.