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A Lien Notice alerts everyone that someone claims a legal right to property until a debt gets paid. It's commonly used when contractors or suppliers haven't received payment for work they've done on a building or when lenders want to secure their interest in property.

Once filed with local county records, this notice creates a public record of the debt and can prevent the property from being sold with a clean title. Banks, construction companies, and tax authorities often use lien notices to protect their financial interests and ensure they'll get paid what they're owed. The notice must typically be filed within specific timeframes set by state laws.

File a Lien Notice when someone owes you money for work, materials, or services provided to their property. This is especially crucial for contractors who've completed construction work but haven't been paid, or suppliers who've delivered materials to a job site without receiving payment.

Time matters here - most states require you to file within a specific window after completing the work or delivering materials, often 60 to 90 days. Filing the notice protects your right to get paid and gives you priority over later creditors. It's particularly important when dealing with large projects or clients with questionable payment histories.

• Mechanic's Liens: Filed by contractors, subcontractors, or suppliers for unpaid construction work or materials
• Tax Liens: Government claims against property for unpaid taxes
• Judgment Liens: Created when a court ruling grants a creditor rights to property
• HOA Liens: Filed by homeowners associations for unpaid dues or assessments
• Maritime Liens: Claims against vessels for unpaid repairs, supplies, or crew wages
• Agricultural Liens: Protect farmers and suppliers who provide services or materials for crops

• Contractors and Suppliers: File liens to secure payment for work or materials provided to properties
• Property Owners: Receive and respond to lien notices, must address claims to maintain clear property titles
• Banks and Lenders: File liens to protect their interests in mortgaged properties
• County Clerks: Record and maintain lien notices in public records
• Construction Lawyers: Draft and review lien notices, ensure compliance with state filing requirements
• Title Companies: Search for and report existing liens during property transactions

• Property Details: Gather exact property address, legal description, and tax parcel number
• Debt Information: Document the exact amount owed, dates of work or services, and payment history
• Party Information: Collect full legal names and addresses of property owner and all involved parties
• Timeline Check: Verify your state's filing deadline hasn't expired since work completion
• Documentation: Gather contracts, invoices, and proof of work completion
• Filing Requirements: Check county recorder's specific formatting and submission rules

• Property Description: Detailed legal description and physical address of the property
• Claim Amount: Precise dollar amount owed, including itemized breakdown if required
• Work Description: Specific details of services, materials, or labor provided
• Party Information: Full legal names and addresses of lien claimant and property owner
• Date Details: First and last dates of work performed or materials furnished
• Verification Statement: Sworn statement confirming the truth of claims made
• Signature Block: Claimant's signature with notary acknowledgment

A Lien Notice differs significantly from a Lien Waiver in both purpose and timing. While a Lien Notice establishes a claim against property, a Lien Waiver does the opposite by releasing that claim, typically after payment is received.

• Purpose: Lien Notices secure payment rights and create public record of debt; Lien Waivers relinquish those rights once payment is made
• Timing: Lien Notices are filed early in the process, often before payment issues arise; Lien Waivers come after receiving payment
• Legal Effect: Notices create an encumbrance on property; Waivers remove that encumbrance
• Parties: Notices are filed by unpaid parties; Waivers are typically requested by property owners or general contractors before releasing payment