Satisfy the Judgment: Paying the debt in full is the most straightforward way to remove the lien. Obtain a satisfaction of judgment from the creditor and file it with the court.
Liens are valid for five years from the original filing date. Florida law allows judgment liens to be filed a second time to extend the lien's validity five more years. (See s. 55.201-55.209, F.S.)
File a certified copy of your judgment in the real estate records of the county in which the property is located. The lien is in effect for 10 years, and it can be renewed for an additional ten years.
However, many types of liens do put your property at risk, so it's important to get them resolved as soon as possible. Even if the lien holders decide not to foreclose, these liens can make it impossible for you to sell your home or refinance your mortgage.
The Length of a Judgment A judgment is good, and can be enforced, for up to 20 years. That seems like a long time, and it is. A judgment is good for 10 years and Florida allows a creditor to “renew” a judgment before the expiration of the 10 years for an additional 10 years, thus giving a judgment almost unending life.
The recorded judgment automatically attaches to all property in whatever county the judgment is recorded. The creditor would have to record the judgment in all 67 Florida counties separately to create a state-wide lien on the debtor's real property. Second, only “certified copies” of the judgment give rise to a lien.
You can obtain a judgment lien on the judgment debtor's real property by recording a certified copy of your judgment in the real estate records in the county in which the property is located. Such liens are not recorded with the Department of State.
To officially put a lien on a house, you must file a Claim of Lien form with the county clerk's office in the county where the property is located. This document should include details about the property owner, a description of the work performed, the amount owed, and other necessary information.
To attach a lien, the creditor must record the judgment with the county recorder in any Florida county where the debtor owns real estate now or may own real estate in future. For liens on personal property, the creditor files the judgment with the Florida Department of State.
An involuntary lien can occur without your knowledge, depending on the circumstances. A creditor often places a judgment lien after suing you and winning the case.