Using Trusts to Shield Assets A really good way to put assets out of the reach of a civil judgment is to put them inside a legally constructed asset protection trust, notably an offshore trust. Moving assets out of direct ownership and into a trust works wonderfully to protect those assets from creditor claims.
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.
Take the certified docket sheet and a notice of judgment for each judgment debtor (see above) to the common pleas court clerk in each county where you want a judgment lien. Ask that the certified docket sheet be recorded in the county judgment index. Once that's done, you've got a judgment lien in that county.
Pennsylvania judgments are valid for 5 years. Judgments can be revived every 5 years and should be revived if a creditor is attempting to actively collect on the debt. Judgments also act as a lien against real property for up to 20 years or longer if properly revived.
Steps to File a Valid Pennsylvania Mechanics Lien Send Preliminary Notice Within 30 Days. Send Pre-Lien Notice at Least 30 Days Before Filing. File Your Lien Claim at Prothonotary's Office. Serve Notice of Filing on the Owner. Start Suit to Enforce Lien Within Two Years. File a Lien Bond to Remove the Lien.
Judgments have expiration dates. 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.
Steps to File a Valid Pennsylvania Mechanics Lien Send Preliminary Notice Within 30 Days. Send Pre-Lien Notice at Least 30 Days Before Filing. File Your Lien Claim at Prothonotary's Office. Serve Notice of Filing on the Owner. Start Suit to Enforce Lien Within Two Years. File a Lien Bond to Remove the Lien.