For most kinds of debt, you cannot go to jail for leaving them unpaid. The only consequences will be in the form of potential lawsuits and other negative life consequences.
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.
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.
A judgment lien expires after 5 years from the date it is recorded but may be rerecorded once for another period of 5 years not less than 120 days before the expiration of the initial judgment.
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.
It shows up on your credit report as well as on any background checks. The judgment is considered a lien against your property, including any real estate that you have, in the state in which the judgment is filed.
Creditors typically acquire property liens through your voluntary consent. On the other hand, creditors get judgment liens after winning a lawsuit against you for a debt you owe.