A judgment lien on real property in North Carolina is a legal claim or encumbrance placed on a property as a result of a judgment against the property owner. This lien is created by a court order and serves as a way for the judgment creditor to secure payment of the debt owed to them. There are two types of judgment liens that can be placed on real property in North Carolina. The first type is a general judgment lien, which attaches to all real property owned by the debtor in the county where the judgment is filed. This means that any property the debtor owns or acquires within that county can be subject to the lien. The second type is a specific judgment lien, which only attaches to a specific piece of real property that is identified in the judgment. This type of lien is less commonly used and is typically reserved for cases where the judgment creditor wants to target a specific property to satisfy their debt. To initiate a judgment lien on real property in North Carolina, the judgment creditor must first obtain a judgment in their favor through a legal proceeding. Once the judgment is obtained, a certified copy of the judgment can be filed with the clerk of court in the county where the property is located. In order to ensure that the judgment lien is valid and enforceable, it is important for the judgment creditor to also record a notice of judgment lien with the register of deeds in the county where the property is situated. This notice serves as a public record of the lien and alerts potential buyers or other creditors of the property's encumbrance. Once the judgment lien is properly recorded, it generally remains in effect for a period of ten years from the date of the judgment. However, it can be renewed for subsequent ten-year periods if the judgment creditor desires to extend the lien's validity. In conclusion, a judgment lien on real property in North Carolina is a legal claim placed on a property as a result of a court judgment against the property owner. There are two types of judgment liens: general, which attaches to all property in a county, and specific, which targets a particular piece of real estate. It is crucial for the judgment creditor to obtain a certified copy of the judgment and file it with the appropriate authorities, as well as record a notice of judgment lien with the register of deeds. By doing so, the creditor ensures the validity and enforceability of the lien.