How Asset Recovery is Helping Families Reclaim Millions in Lost Property Funds

What if thousands of dollars, or even hundreds of thousands, rightfully belonged to you, but you had no idea it existed? For countless families across America, this scenario is reality. When properties are lost to foreclosure or tax sales, excess funds often remain unclaimed, eventually absorbed by government agencies forever.

Carl O'Neal and Matt Joffre of Full Circle Asset Recovery are changing this narrative. Operating across 15 states, their firm has recovered over $3.5 million in 2025 alone, reconnecting families with money that's rightfully theirs through a blend of legal expertise, genealogical research, and genuine care for those they serve.

The Hidden Crisis: When Property Loss Becomes Permanent Financial Loss

Understanding the Asset Recovery Landscape

The asset recovery industry addresses a fundamental injustice in the American property system. When homeowners fall behind on property taxes, sometimes as little as $20,000 to $30,000, their properties can be seized and sold at tax auctions. However, if these properties sell for significantly more than the owed taxes, the excess funds don't automatically return to the original owners.

"For the past 100 to 200 years, in the majority of states in this country, if someone lost their home and it got taken and sold at a tax sale auction for $200,000 more than what was owed, that excess money went to the state no matter what," explains Matt Joffre.

The 15 Friendly States: A Glimmer of Hope

Today, 15 states have enacted "friendly" legislation that allows people to recover these surplus funds, but the process remains deliberately complex and poorly publicized. Government agencies send notifications to foreclosed properties where nobody lives, effectively ensuring most people never learn about their available funds.

This systematic approach means that without professional intervention, families lose access to money that could be life-changing, with funds eventually escheated to the state permanently.

Real Stories, Real Impact: The Human Side of Asset Recovery

Jason's Story: A Race Against Time

One of the most compelling cases Full Circle handled involved Jason, a mentally incapacitated individual whose grandmother and mother died on the same day during COVID-19. With no caretakers left, property taxes went unpaid, leading to foreclosure.

Using advanced skip tracing technology and working with experienced attorneys, the team located Jason in a state-run group home just two days before his $225,000 claim would have been permanently lost to the government.

"Days away from this money being gone, and he had no one there to help. He had no other family members, no one knew about the money," Carl O'Neal recalls. "Now he's able to go live on his own, buy his own place, have independent living, life-changing money."

The Genealogical Detective Work

Full Circle's approach goes far beyond typical asset recovery firms. In one current case, they're tracing a family tree back to 1844 to find second or third cousins eligible for over $800,000 in unclaimed funds. This level of comprehensive research distinguishes their work from companies that simply purchase third-party lists and make cold calls.

The Business Model: Expertise Over Volume

Why Professional Help Matters

While individuals can technically pursue these claims independently, the complexity often proves overwhelming. The paperwork is intricate, procedures are strict, and one clerical error can derail the entire process.

"We use the best attorneys and we're doing the title research, debt verification, and background research ourselves on every single case before we even pick up a phone," O'Neal emphasizes.

Their success rate approaches 100%, compared to the numerous failed attempts they see from people trying to navigate the system alone.

A Transparent Fee Structure

Full Circle operates on a contingency basis, charging a percentage of recovered funds rather than upfront fees. This aligns their interests with their clients, they only succeed when families successfully reclaim their money.

For claims under $10,000, the economics become challenging due to attorney fees and research costs, so they focus on larger cases while developing AI tools to eventually serve smaller claims efficiently.

The ROI of Doing Good: Building Trust in a Skeptical Market

Overcoming the Trust Barrier

The biggest challenge in asset recovery isn't the legal complexity, it's building trust with people who receive unexpected calls about large sums of money. In an era of scams and data breaches, skepticism runs high.

"The problem with our business is we don't have a product to sell. We have to make sure these individuals trust us," O'Neal explains. "You have three seconds to capture their attention, 30 seconds to engage them a little more, and then three minutes to win them over."

The Follow-Up Formula

Success in asset recovery requires persistence and genuine care. Full Circle operates on the principle that most clients need multiple touchpoints before feeling comfortable proceeding. This patient approach, combined with comprehensive knowledge and transparent communication, builds the trust necessary for successful outcomes.

Scaling Impact: Technology Meets Compassion

The AI Revolution in Asset Recovery

Full Circle is developing proprietary AI technology to streamline their processes and expand their reach. This system will allow them to handle smaller claims efficiently while maintaining their high standards of research and client care.

The ultimate goal is creating a uniform platform that could work across all governmental systems, ensuring no family is left behind when funds rightfully belong to them.

Beyond Individual Cases: Systemic Change

The firm's vision extends beyond individual recoveries to systemic reform. They're working toward a future where asset recovery becomes more transparent and accessible, potentially eliminating the need for their services entirely.

The Broader Implications: Types of Recoverable Assets

Asset recovery extends beyond property foreclosures to include:

• Bankruptcy surplus funds: Money remaining after bankruptcy proceedings

• Probate court funds: Unclaimed inheritance money

• Medicaid recovery: Funds related to government assistance programs

• Business asset recovery: Commercial property and business-related surplus funds

Each category requires specialized knowledge and different legal approaches, highlighting the complexity of the field.

Key Takeaways for Success

When asked for their top advice for success in any field, the Full Circle team emphasizes consistency: "Continue to be consistent and continue to build whatever pipeline you have. One more call, one more rep in the gym, one more of something that you're doing, and you're going to be fields ahead of everybody else."

This philosophy has helped them build toward $5 million in revenue for 2025, with major cases including a $1.2 million recovery in New York and an $800,000 case in progress.

How to Protect Yourself and Your Family

If you're concerned about potential unclaimed funds in your family's name:

1. Stay current on property taxes to avoid foreclosure situations

2. Maintain updated contact information with all relevant agencies

3. Research your state's unclaimed property database regularly

4. Consider professional help for complex situations involving deceased family members

Conclusion: The Future of Asset Recovery

Full Circle Asset Recovery represents a new generation of firms that combine legal expertise with genuine compassion for families in crisis. Their work illuminates a hidden corner of the financial system where millions of dollars sit unclaimed, waiting for the right expertise to reconnect them with their rightful owners.

As they continue scaling their operations and developing new technologies, their mission remains clear: ensuring that money rightfully belonging to families doesn't disappear into government coffers forever.

Ready to learn more about asset recovery or check if your family has unclaimed funds? Listen to the full ROI Masterclass podcast episode with Carl O'Neal and Matt Joffre, and visit Full Circle Asset Recovery's website at fullcircleassetrecovery.com for more information.

Want to stay updated on innovative investment strategies and wealth-building opportunities? Subscribe to the ROI Masterclass podcast and never miss insights from industry leaders who are reshaping the future of real estate and finance.

Resources Mentioned:

• Full Circle Asset Recovery: fullcircleassetrecovery.com

• Follow on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter: @fullcircleassetrecovery

• Email: info@fullcircleassetrecovery.com

• ROI Masterclass Podcast: [Subscribe for more episodes]

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