Supreme Court Ruling Protects Your Home Equity: Tyler v. Hennepin County Explained
- Andre Green
- Apr 6
- 2 min read
Discover how the Supreme Court’s decision in Tyler v. Hennepin County protects your right to surplus funds after foreclosure. Learn how Greenthumb Connections LLC helps homeowners recover what’s rightfully theirs.
Early in May, Geraldine Tyler—a senior citizen—faced a significant challenge. Geraldine’s home was seized by Hennepin County, Minnesota, over a $15,000 tax debt. The county sold her home and kept $25,000 in surplus funds after covering her $5,500 tax debt, essentially taking her built-up equity.
The Supreme Court ruling in May 2023 reinforced property owners’ rights to excess proceeds or surplus funds, commonly referred to as home equity theft in cases of tax foreclosure overages.
Supreme Court Ruling: Counties Can’t Keep Your Surplus
A unanimous 9–0 ruling by the Supreme Court found that the county’s actions were unconstitutional. The court determined that Geraldine’s property rights, protected under the Fifth Amendment’s Takings Clause, had been violated. Justice Roberts stated, “The taxpayer must render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s.”
What This Means for You
Governments can seize your property to settle unpaid taxes, but they must return any excess value or equity to you or your heirs.
If you’ve lost your property to a tax foreclosure, you may still be able to claim surplus funds from the sale.
The Supreme Court Just Ruled: Your Home Equity Is Yours—Even After Foreclosure
Have you lost a home to foreclosure or a tax sale? You might be owed money—and a recent Supreme Court case confirms it.
What Happened in Tyler v. Hennepin County?
Geraldine Tyler, a 94-year-old Minnesota woman, lost her condo to the county over unpaid property taxes. The county sold the home for $40,000 more than she owed ($15,000) —and kept the surplus ($25,000).
But the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that this action violated the Constitution. Under the Fifth Amendment, the government must provide just compensation when taking private property.
Why This Matters for Homeowners
This landmark ruling affects thousands of people across the U.S. who have lost properties to tax foreclosure or mortgage default.
If your home was sold and the sale brought in more than what you owed, that extra amount—called surplus funds or excess proceeds—belongs to you
Are You Owed Surplus Funds After a Foreclosure?
At Greenthumb Connections LLC, we specialize in helping homeowners and heirs recover excess proceeds from:
Tax lien or tax deed sales
Mortgage foreclosures
HOA or municipal auctions
You may have money waiting—even if the foreclosure happened months or years ago.
What You Should Do Now
Contact us for a free evaluation
Check your eligibility
Act fast—some states have short deadlines
Our team will walk you through the process and handle all the paperwork.
Greenthumb Connections: We're here for you
Final Thoughts—Your Home. Your Rights. Your Equity.
Thanks to Tyler v. Hennepin County, the Supreme Court has made it clear: You are entitled to any surplus funds after the sale of your property.
Don’t leave money on the table. Let Greenthumb Connections LLC help you recover what’s rightfully yours
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