Lien
In one sentence
A legal claim against property to secure payment of a debt or obligation.
Plain English
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.
Example
A contractor completes home renovations but the homeowner refuses to pay. The contractor files a mechanic's lien against the house, preventing the owner from selling it until the debt is settled.
Used in a sentence
“The bank placed a lien on the property to secure the mortgage loan.”
How Lien differs by state
Lien can apply differently depending on the state. Click a state to see local specifics.
Alabama
Alabama recognizes mechanic's liens on real property when contractors file within strict statutory timeframes.
Alaska
Alaska allows mechanic's liens on real and personal property with a 120-day filing deadline from last work or supply.
Arizona
Arizona requires mechanic's lien claimants to file within 90 days of last furnishing labor or materials to the project.
Arkansas
Arkansas permits mechanic's liens with a 120-day filing deadline and requires notice to the property owner before work begins.
California
California requires preliminary notice to owners and general contractors and imposes a 90-day filing deadline for mechanic's liens.
Colorado
Colorado recognizes mechanic's liens on real property with strict 90-day notice and filing requirements.
Connecticut
Connecticut requires mechanic's lien claimants to file within 90 days and serve notice on the property owner.
Delaware
Delaware mechanic's liens require filing within 120 days and must include specific statutory information.
Florida
Florida requires a Notice of Nonpayment within 15 days of nonpayment and lien filing within 90 days of last work.
Georgia
Georgia mechanic's liens must be filed within 90 days and require notice to the property owner.
Hawaii
Hawaii recognizes both statutory and common-law liens, with strict notice requirements for enforcement.
Idaho
Idaho enforces mechanic's liens strictly, requiring notice within specific timeframes and strict compliance with statutory procedures.
Illinois
Illinois permits broad lien rights, including mechanic's liens with a four-month filing deadline from project completion.
Indiana
Indiana enforces mechanic's liens with a 120-day filing deadline and requires preliminary notice in specific construction scenarios.
Iowa
Iowa requires mechanic's liens to be filed within 90 days of last work or material delivery, with strict notice rules.
Kansas
Kansas recognizes both statutory and common-law liens; mechanic's liens must be filed within four months of last work.
Kentucky
Kentucky mechanic's liens must be filed within 90 days of last work; failure to file within this period extinguishes the lien claim.
Louisiana
Louisiana uses a civil-law system where liens are called "privileges" and attach automatically by law without filing in many cases.
Maine
Maine mechanic's liens must be filed within 90 days of last work; notice to the owner is required before or during the filing period.
Maryland
Maryland mechanic's liens require filing within 90 days of last work and must include a detailed description of labor and materials provided.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts recognizes both statutory and common-law liens, with strict notice requirements for enforcement.
Michigan
Michigan enforces mechanic's liens with a 90-day notice requirement and strict filing deadlines for construction work.
Minnesota
Minnesota requires mechanic's liens to be filed within 120 days of last work, with strict statutory procedures.
Mississippi
Mississippi enforces mechanic's liens with a 90-day filing deadline and requires strict compliance with statutory notice provisions.
Missouri
Missouri recognizes mechanic's liens with a 90-day filing requirement and allows liens on both real and personal property.
Montana
Montana recognizes both consensual and statutory liens, with strict foreclosure procedures requiring notice and opportunity to cure.
Nebraska
Nebraska enforces mechanic's liens with a 120-day filing deadline and requires strict compliance with statutory notice requirements.
Nevada
Nevada permits broad lien rights for contractors and suppliers with a 90-day filing window and relatively debtor-friendly redemption rules.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire recognizes mechanic's liens with a six-month filing deadline and requires the lien claimant to file suit within two years.
New Jersey
New Jersey enforces mechanic's liens with a 90-day filing deadline and requires notice to the property owner before work commences.
New Mexico
New Mexico recognizes both consensual and statutory liens, with mechanic's liens requiring notice within 90 days of last work.
New York
New York enforces judgment liens statewide and mechanic's liens on construction projects, with strict notice and filing deadlines.
North Carolina
North Carolina requires mechanic's liens to be filed within 120 days of last work and strictly construes lien statutes against lienors.
North Dakota
North Dakota mechanic's liens require filing within four months of last work and must include detailed property descriptions.
Ohio
Ohio requires mechanic's liens to be filed within four months of last work and recognizes both real and personal property liens.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma recognizes both statutory and common-law liens, with strict notice and filing requirements for enforcement.
Oregon
Oregon requires lienholders to record claims promptly and follow strict notice procedures to preserve lien rights.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania enforces liens through strict compliance with statutory procedures, particularly for mechanic's and judgment liens.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island enforces liens through recording and strict notice requirements, with particular emphasis on mechanic's lien timelines.
South Carolina
South Carolina enforces liens through recording and requires lienholders to follow strict statutory procedures for mechanic's and judgment liens.
South Dakota
South Dakota recognizes both statutory and common-law liens, with strict notice requirements for enforcement against real property.
Tennessee
Tennessee enforces mechanic's liens with strict notice deadlines; failure to file within 90 days of last work generally bars the lien.
Texas
Texas enforces mechanic's liens with a 4-year statute of limitations and requires strict compliance with notice and filing requirements.
Utah
Utah requires mechanic's lienholders to file within 90 days of last work and provide preliminary notice to the property owner.
Vermont
Vermont enforces mechanic's liens with a 6-month filing deadline and requires notice to the property owner within 30 days of first work.
Virginia
Virginia recognizes mechanic's liens for construction work, requiring notice within 90 days of last labor or material delivery.
Washington
Washington requires mechanic's lien claims filed within 90 days of last work, with strict notice requirements to property owners.
West Virginia
West Virginia mechanic's liens must be filed within 120 days of last work, with priority determined by filing date.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin mechanic's liens require filing within 120 days of last work, with notice to the property owner required.
Wyoming
Wyoming mechanic's liens attach upon commencement of work and must be filed within 120 days of last work.
District of Columbia
DC allows liens on real and personal property; mechanic's liens require notice within 90 days of last work.
Related terms
chattel
Personal property that is movable, as opposed to real estate or land.
color of law
The appearance or claim of legal authority, often used when someone abuses power while pretending to act lawfully.
Liquidated Damages
A fixed amount both parties agree in advance the breaching party must pay.
Conditions Subsequent
An event that, if it happens, ends a party's obligation or allows them to cancel the contract.
Penalty
A sum of money a contract requires as punishment for breach, often unrelated to actual damages.
Homestead Exemption
A legal protection that shields a primary residence from creditors' claims up to a certain value.
Tenant Rights
Legal protections and entitlements that renters have regarding their leased property and living conditions.
Security Deposit
Money a tenant pays upfront to a landlord as a guarantee against damage or unpaid rent.
This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney.