what type of lawyer should i get to have a lien removed from my home.

by Edwina Klocko 4 min read

As part of the negotiations, get the creditor to agree to release the lien. If you need help in the negotiations, consider hiring a debt settlement lawyer to help you.

Robert Allen Shipley

I agree with both counsel. However, even if the lien was not timely filed, per the state statute, you would still need an attorney to file the appropriate petition to have the lien extinguished and removed. If a lien was recorded, then I would recommend you contact a local attorney whose practice is concentrated in construction law.

Cheryl Rivera Smith

I agree with my colleague, but you also may want to check local laws. The lien may expire worthless if the landscaping company doesn't take action within a certain period of time. Best of luck.

Scott Louis Peterson

You should talk to an attorney. The only way to remove the lien is to go to court. The lien is probably not valid, and you can get your attorney's fees paid if the attorney successfully removes the lien.

How to remove a lien on a property?

Property lien removal process 1 Make sure the debt the lien represents is valid. If you don't believe you owe the debt to which the lien is attached, you may want to consult with an attorney. 2 Pay off the debt. If the debt is valid, pay the creditor in full. If you work with an attorney, you may be able to negotiate a lower payoff amount. 3 Fill out a release-of-lien form. You can often find lien release paperwork online. If not, try the county clerk's office or an attorney, if you have one.Make sure the form includes your name, the lien holder's name, proof and amount of the debt paid, and a description and address for the property. 4 Have the lien holder sign the release-of-lien form in front of a notary. The lien holder needs to sign the document in the presence of a notary public. 5 File the lien release form. You'll usually file the lien release at the county recorder's office, at which point it becomes public record. You may have to pay a small fee to file. 6 Ask for a lien waiver, if appropriate. A lien waiver is a document from a contractor showing that you have paid for the work in full and waiving all future lien rights of the contractor in the work or equipment. 7 #N#Keep a copy. You'll want to have a copy of the release form for your records.

What happens if you have a lien on your property?

A lien against your property will prevent you from selling it until that debt is paid. Here are the steps to take to remove the claim of the lien holder against your property. Make sure the debt the lien represents is valid. If you don't believe you owe the debt to which the lien is attached, you may want to consult with an attorney.

How to avoid a lien in bankruptcy?

Lien avoidance. You may be able to avoid judgment liens against your home or car in Chapter 7 bankruptcy if all of the following are true:#N#The lien is a result of a money judgment issued by the court.#N#You are eligible to claim an exemption in all or part of your equity in the property.#N#The lien would result in the loss of some or all the property if sold. 1 The lien is a result of a money judgment issued by the court. 2 You are eligible to claim an exemption in all or part of your equity in the property. 3 The lien would result in the loss of some or all the property if sold.

Where to file a lien release?

File the lien release form. You'll usually file the lien release at the county recorder's office , at which point it becomes public record. You may have to pay a small fee to file. Ask for a lien waiver, if appropriate.

What is a lien waiver?

A lien waiver is a document from a contractor showing that you have paid for the work in full and waiving all future lien rights of the contractor in the work or equipment. Keep a copy. You'll want to have a copy of the release form for your records.

How long is a lien good for?

States place limitations on how long a lien is good for as well as how long a lien holder has to file suit, such as with a mechanic's lien. For example, in Virginia, a contractor must file suit within 6 months of recording the lien. Similarly, a judgment lien in California lasts only 10 years, but creditors have the option ...

How long does a judgment lien last in California?

For example, in Virginia, a contractor must file suit within 6 months of recording the lien. Similarly, a judgment lien in California lasts only 10 years, but creditors have the option of renewing the lien if unpaid. Private negotiations.

What is a lien on your home?

It’s important to remember that even if your own something if you owe money, the lien can get placed on your home or property as a form of collateral. Liens are sometimes used as a way to ensure the other party gets what’s owed to them. Among the various types of liens are those that are used when a job is performed, such as a mechanic’s lien.

Is it scary to deal with a lien?

Regardless of what happened, the process of dealing with a lien sounds overwhelming and scary to many people. Some hesitate to deal with it, thinking doing so brings about more problems.

What happens if you don't pay taxes?

If you have tax debt that you didn’t pay, the IRS can put a lien on your home as a way to recoup the money you owe. For people who attempt to dodge their taxes, this method ensures they pay in one way or another. If you failed to pay property taxes, a lien can get placed on the home and property you owe for. It’s important to remember that even ...

What is mechanic lien?

Mechanic’s liens are when contractors perform work on your home. If you’re unable to pay, expect them to file a lien at the county recorder’s office. Judgment liens occur when someone takes you to court because you failed to make payments.

What happens when you take someone to court?

Judgment liens occur when someone takes you to court because you failed to make payments. When these companies can’t get their money, they can put a property lien on your home or anything else that you owe to collect their debt.

Why is my title quiet?

In the case of a quiet title, it’s because a lien was incorrectly placed on your property. You’ll need to go to court to show that you aren’t liable for this lien and it was put in incorrectly. With the help of a lawyer, you can easily prove this, and get your property restored to a lien-free state. If you’re selling a home, it’s typical ...

What is a quiet title?

As if that wasn’t enough, there are liens that know as a quiet title and safety involuntary liens. In addition to the types of liens listed above, there are other ones known as a quiet title and an involuntary lien. In the case of a quiet title, it’s because a lien was incorrectly placed on your property. You’ll need to go to court ...

Can a lien be taken away?

A lien also serves as a notice to any potential buyers that the property has not yet been paid off and thus can be taken away by the creditor. This can make it very difficult for the borrower to sell their property. In fact, it is usually the case that the property cannot be sold if there is a lien on it. A lien release, however, is ...

How to get a lien released?

Some other ways to have a lien released include the following: 1 Request a Lien Release Directly from the Lender: In some instances, the lender may agree to lift the lien at some point in the future when certain circumstances are present. This will basically be considered a form of debt forgiveness. 2 Pay Off the Loan: A lien will typically be released automatically once the loan or debt is fully paid off. 3 Request the Court to Intervene: There are some situations where the borrower may have to take legal action or file a lawsuit against the lender in order to have their lien released. The court can issue an order instructing the lender to release the lien. 4 Request a Lien Waiver: A release is granted after there is already a lien in place. In contrast, a lien waiver can be contracted for during the signing of the loan. A lien waiver is essentially an agreement that states that the lender will not place a lien on the property as a means to collect payment from the debtor.

What is a lien on a loan?

A lien is a type of legal document that gives a creditor the right to claim a debtor’s property in the event that they default on their loan or debt payments. The lien ensures that the borrower will eventually pay off their debt or they will risk losing that property to the creditor. For example, when a person takes out a loan against their home, ...

What is a lien waiver?

A lien waiver is essentially an agreement that states that the lender will not place a lien on the property as a means to collect payment from the debtor.

How long does it take to get a lien release?

In general, lenders usually have 30 days to issue the lien release once the debt has been fully paid off.

How long does a lien waiver last?

Lastly, it is important to keep in mind that most liens will expire automatically after 10 years.

How to remove a lien on a property?

Since most liens are based on some monetary amount, the simple way to remove a lien is to pay that specific amount. There are other ways to remove a lien, depending on how the lien originated. Sell the property.

Can a lien be placed on property?

A lien can’t be placed on property that you own. If you simply give the property to the lien holder, the lien is void. Say, for example, that you own a truck. There is a lien on the truck based on the outstanding truck loan balance. If you give the truck to your lender, the lien on the truck goes away.

What is a lien on a home?

A lien is a claim a company or individual makes against your property due to a debt you owe. If you own a home, your lender will place a lien on your property until the home mortgage is paid. Credit card companies, construction contractors, and the Internal Revenue Service can also place liens against your home.

What happens when you buy a car with a lien?

When you purchase a car, a lien is placed against the vehicle until you make the final payment. Removing a lien requires you to pay the debt or renegotiate the debt amount. If you don’t believe that the lien is legitimate an attorney can help you get a lien removed. Steps.

What is a lien in a lawsuit?

1. Analyze situations that may result in a lien being filed. A lien is a security interest placed on property. A security interest means that the property serves as security for a debt you owe to another party. The property may be real property (home) or personal property (car, jewelry).

What is a lien on a property?

Analyze situations that may result in a lien being filed. A lien is a security interest placed on property. A security interest means that the property serves as security for a debt you owe to another party. The property may be real property (home) or personal property (car, jewelry).

What is a tax lien?

A tax lien provides public notice to all of your creditors that the IRS has a claim against all of your current and future property until you pay the debt. [2] The IRS considers a tax lien as a last resort when they are attempting to collect taxes owed.

What to do if you have a lien on your house?

A person who has a valid lien on your home isn’t going to give up until you satisfy your debt. The lien is the best collateral she can ever get. If you do owe the money and don’t have the cash, call your creditor and try to find a debt payment plan.

What happens if you don't respond to a lien?

If you don’t provide a written response and give that response to the court, the case will proceed and you’ll likely end up with a valid lien against your property. That means the other party may sue you. When you get a notice like this, the very first thing you should do is contact your lawyer.

What happens if you owe someone money?

If you really owe the money – pay it . Liens can be placed against your property if someone claims you haven’t paid your debts. If you have paid the debt and there is still a lien, don’t worry. The remaining options will cure the problem.

What to do if you don't have cash?

The lien is the best collateral she can ever get. If you do owe the money and don’t have the cash, call your creditor and try to find a debt payment plan. If your creditor won’t budge, find an alternative source of funds to pay off the debt.

How long does a lien on a home last?

Then, mail it to the person making the claim. Once you do that they must either file a suit (against you or the contractor) or the lien will expire in 60 days.

What is an affidavit of payment?

3. Affidavit of Payment. An Affidavit of Payment is a document your contractor signed acknowledging that you paid all the money that you owed. If you have such a document, the subcontractors can sue the contractor but they can’t sue you and they can’t place on lien on your property.

How to get rid of a lien on a home?

Here are 4 ways to resolve your lien and get your home sale to the finish line: Pay off outstanding debts immediately. The best way to avoid any extra delays in closing is to pay the lien and clear your title as quickly as possible. Use your home sale proceeds to cover what you can’t afford.

What to do if you can't afford to pay a lien?

If you can’t afford to pay the lien out of pocket, you may be able to use your home sale proceeds. Your real estate agent will write the lien into the settlement agreement. At closing, the lien will be deducted from your profit. Dispute the lien with the help of an attorney.

How to sell a house with a lien?

Here are some places to find the best real estate attorney to help you sell a house with a lien: 1 Your state bar association offers an online lawyer referral service. Search for licensed attorneys by ZIP code, specialty, language, and more. 2 Avvo provides information and reviews for 97% of practicing lawyers in the United States. Find experienced real estate attorneys who specialize in closing and title issues. 3 FindLaw is a search engine to find lawyers based on your location. FInd free resources about real estate law to help you navigate your title issues.

What is a lien on a property?

A lien is a right to keep possession of a person’s property until a debt is paid. Like blemishes on an otherwise shining report card, liens are one of the defects that show up on a property’s title search, which is essentially a background check into your legal claim over a piece of real estate.

What is the most serious IRS lien?

The most serious lien is an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) lien, which is from nonpayment of federal taxes. An attorney and CPA are almost always necessary to resolve an IRS lien.

How to avoid delays in closing?

The best way to avoid any extra delays in closing is to pay the lien and clear your title as quickly as possible. Use your home sale proceeds to cover what you can’t afford. If you can’t afford to pay the lien out of pocket, you may be able to use your home sale proceeds.

Does title insurance cover liens?

Although rare, sometimes title companies over look liens on a title. When the deal closes, the title and the liens transfer to the new owner. Title insurance protects you from paying liens that aren’t yours. Pay fees and taxes on time.

Does Florida require a lien waiver?

Texas. Utah. Wyoming. *Florida does not require that parties use the statutory lien waiver, but it offers the waiver as a safe option, and seems to prohibit parties from requiring a non-statutory form.

Is a lien waiver required in construction?

Lien Waivers are a commonly used document in the construction industry. Though waivers are not required by law anywhere, exchanging or providing signed waivers in exchange for payment is often a stipulation of many construction project contracts. And so in reality, lien waivers are everywhere in construction.

What is a lien waiver?

A lien waiver is a document that a potential lien claimant (aka someone that works your property or project) signs stating that they waive future lien rights against your property for the extent set forth (or the “amount”) in the lien waiver. Essentially, a lien waiver is like a receipt ...

Why are lien waivers important?

So lien waivers help you confirm this information. Lien waivers benefit you because you want to finish the project without any lien ...

How many states have lien waivers?

Even though states don’t mandate the exchange of lien waivers, there are about 12 states that regulate the lien waiver forms themselves. These 12 states (listed below) have mandatory lien waiver forms that must be used on construction projects. Having mandatory forms is actually a good thing for several reasons.

Why do you need a preliminary notice?

As an owner, you should want to receive a preliminary notice. Why? Because it alerts you to the presence of a participant on your project.

How does a conditional waiver work?

Conditional waivers work by waiving the signor’s lien rights, but the waiver is conditioned on something else that must happen for in order for the waiver to take affect. This “something else” is almost always the signor’s receipt of payment.

Property Lien Removal Process

  • A lien against your property will prevent you from selling it until that debt is paid. Here are the steps to take to remove the claim of the lien holder against your property. 1. Make sure the debt the lien represents is valid.If you don't believe you owe the debt to which the lien is attached, you may want to consult with an attorney. 2. Pay off the debt.If the debt is valid, pay the creditor in fu…
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Other Ways to Avoid Or Remove A Lien

  • You don't necessarily have to forfeit your property or pay off the associated debt to remove a lien. Other options for removing or avoiding a lien include: 1. Running the statute of limitations.States place limitations on how long a lien is good for as well as how long a lien holder has to file suit, such as with a mechanic's lien. For example, in Virginia, a contractor must file suit within 6 mont…
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How An Attorney Can Help

  • An attorney can assist you at several points in the lien removal process. For one, an attorney can help you complete the appropriate lien release form and file the paperwork with the court properly. Additionally, an attorney can negotiate with the lien holder on your behalf for a potentially lower settlement. If you have a lien on your property, fo...
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