Lien in North Carolina
State-specific overview · Property & Real Estate
North Carolina requires mechanic's liens to be filed within 120 days of last work and strictly construes lien statutes against lienors.
How North Carolina treats Lien
North Carolina mechanic's liens must be filed in the county register of deeds within 120 days after the last date labor was performed or materials were furnished. The state strictly interprets lien statutes, meaning parties must strictly comply with all statutory requirements or lose lien rights. North Carolina recognizes judgment liens, which attach to real property in the county where recorded. Lien priority generally follows the order of filing, though some liens receive statutory priority.
The general definition of Lien
A legal claim against property to secure payment of a debt or obligation.
A lien gives someone the right to hold or sell another person's property if a debt isn't paid. For instance, a mechanic who fixes your car might place a lien on it, meaning you can't sell or transfer the car until you pay the repair bill. The person holding the lien doesn't own the property, but they have a legal interest in it that must be satisfied before the owner can freely sell it.
Read the full Lien entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in North Carolina.