Following a first mortgage foreclosure, all junior liens (including a second mortgage and any junior judgment liens) are extinguished, and the liens are removed from the property's title. However, the second mortgage debt and creditor's judgment remain, even though they're no longer attached to the foreclosed property.
Essentially, consensual liens don't adversely affect your credit as long as repayment terms are satisfied. Judgment and most statutory liens have a negative impact on your credit score and report, which affect your ability to obtain financing in the future.
How is the judgment lien created? In California, the judgment lien is governed by statute. If the title search reveals a judgment lien, it means that the judgment creditor has recorded an Abstract of Judgment in the county where the debtor (homeowner) resides.
If they are not timely renewed, they expire. In CA that is 10 years. However, when a judgment lien has been recorded against your property, it has no expiration date. This means that it is possible to no longer have a judgment against you, but still have a judgment lien on your property.
The judgment lien is not going to impact a homesteaded property so the mortgage lender would be able to obtain a first lien on your property. So, as long as you otherwise qualify for a mortgage, the judgment lien should not be a problem.
In California, a judgment lien can be attached to the debtor's real estate -- meaning a house, condo, land, or similar kind of property interest -- or to the debtor's personal property -- things like jewelry, art, antiques, and other valuables.
If you put liens on the other side's property, you or the other side must remove them. To remove a lien, file a certified copy of the Acknowledgment of Satisfaction of Judgment (form EJ-100) with each county recorder's office where you put the lien on their property.
Key takeaways. While credit card companies technically have the ability to pursue your home for unpaid debt, it's rare. A debt collector must go to court and get a judgment before it can place a lien on your home. There are limits and exemptions to how much of your home's equity a debt collector can claim.
Most judgments (the court order saying what you're owed) expire in 10 years. This means you can't collect on it after 10 years. To avoid this, you can ask the court to renew it. A renewal lasts 10 years.
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.