A mortgage is a specific, voluntary lien. It is specific to the piece of property and is voluntary because it was agreed to by the property owner. A judgment lien is an example of a general, involuntary lien. Judgment liens can be applied against any of an individual's assets.
Of the three types of liens (consensual, statutory, and judgment), the judgment lien is the most dangerous form, but one which the informed business owner may be able to eliminate. A judicial lien is created when a court grants a creditor an interest in the debtor's property, after a court judgment.
A credit card provider cannot simply place and lien and take possession of your home. Instead, they first need to sue you for the unpaid credit card debt and receive a judgment in their favor. Once they have that judgment, they can move forward with claiming your assets, which involves putting a lien on your house.
Under California law, debt collectors have the right to place a lien on a person's home once they get a judgment. California law then lets the debt collector force the sale of a person's home to collect the judgment, even if that property is the debtor's only home.
Once a Notice of State Tax Lien is recorded or filed against you, the lien: Becomes public record. Attaches to any California real or personal property you currently own or may acquire in the future. Is effective for at least 10 years (may be extended)
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk website at lavote/home/records/real-estate-records/general-info or calling (800) 201-8999.
A property owner can choose to place a lien on their property. A voluntary lien is a claim over the property that a homeowner agrees to give to a creditor as security for the payment of a debt. A mortgage lien is the most common type of voluntary real estate lien, also called a deed of trust lien in some states.
In other words, in California judgments expire 10 years from the date they are entered by the court. Upon expiration of the 10-year period, all enforcement procedures must cease; any liens based upon the judgment are automatically extinguished.
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.