Judgment liens may simply be filed and recorded by an attorney. There is no personal confrontation with the defendant and no personal property is seized. Service of the judgment lien on the judgment debtor is by certified mail if the judgment is less than $25,000.
The most common method is garnishment. In addition, the Plaintiff may get a writ of execution to seize the Defendant's property to satisfy the debt. If the Plaintiff does not know what assets the Defendant owns, the Plaintiff may compel disclosure through a civil discovery subpoena.
To obtain a judgment lien, you must first record the judgment with the court of common pleas in the county where the debtor owns property. The lien will stay in effect for five years, but can be renewed, if the debtor does not sell the property within that time period.
Record the Claim of Lien in the County Register of Deeds where the Owner's property is located, within 90 calendar days after last labor or material. Serve a copy of the recorded Claim of Lien on the Owner's Designee within 15 days from date of recording by certified mail or personal delivery.
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.
Within 28 days after payment in full of the amount due on a judgment that is the basis for a judgment lien, the judgment creditor or the judgment creditor's attorney shall record a discharge of judgment lien with the office of the register of deeds where the judgment lien is recorded.