Liens & Judgments Search

What Are Liens and Judgments?

What Is A Lien?

A lien is a legal claim against a property, including personal property, that allows a lienholder to take possession of the property if the debt is past due. Typically, liens come from home and auto loans, and judgement and tax liens. So for example, in the case you can’t pay back the money that is owed from your home loan, the lender may claim the property to get their money back. Information on liens are accessible via public records.

What Is A Judgement?

A judgement is an official decision made by the court on a civil matter. This could include matters related to child support, property ownership, and outstanding debts. The judgement can be used later on to back the execution of a judgment lien.

What Is A Judgment Lien?

The definition of a judgement lien is: When a judgement creditor obtains a lien after winning a lawsuit against another. The creditor will likely utilize the lien against another as leverage for debt due to be paid off. For example, a court authority could make a judgement lien property ruling (judgement against property) in favor of the creditor to get paid a portion of a property’s sale value.

What Is A Lien and Judgment Search?

Now that you know what a lien and judgment lien are, what is Lien and Judgment Search? In simple terms, it is a search for judgements, judgement liens, or liens information related to a specific person. Other relevant data that may appear on a person includes their contact information, work history, licenses, and owned property.

Why You Need To Use A Lien and Judgement's Search

• Find Liens on Properties & Real Estate

  Before purchasing or selling a property, it’s crucial to find out if there is lien on the land. If there is one, it means that a creditor or other authority has financial stake in the property as there is debt. By doing research beforehand, you can take the proper steps to remove liens from a property or release a judgment lien.

• See If Potential Business Partner or Client Has Debt

  Any good business person knows to do their research before getting into business with someone. This includes knowing they are financially responsible. By searching a person, you can uncover if they have any consumer liens.

• Make Sure Someone Is Qualified For A New Credit Card

  Credit card liens belonging to a person will appear on most liens searches. If any do, the person likely has credit card debt and likely isn’t qualified to receive a new credit card.

• Ensure Someone Is A Responsible Parent

  When a married couple separates or two people have a child together, child support is often needed as directed by a court official. If a parent does not pay their child support, a lien may be placed on them until the child support is paid. If someone you are dating or know has a child support lien, they may not be the parent you thought they were.

• Search For Court Records Related To Judgements

  When researching information about liens and judgement liens, it may be helpful to search court records as well. If a judgement lien was falsely claimed, such court records could be used as evidence.

• See If You Have Any Liens or Judgements

  Of course, you want to ensure no liens or judgement liens have been filed against you or your properties unknowingly. With a simple search on Kiwi Searches, uncover this and more!

Types of Liens

• Judgment Lien: This is a judgment on a lien including personal property liens and real estate liens.
• Car Lien: A lienholder could repossess a person’s loaned or leased vehicle if they are behind on payments. They may also require them to have certain auto insurance.
• Mortgage Lien: A bank or mortgage lender may put a lien against a home if someone is far behind on their mortgage payments.
• Mechanic’s Lien: When someone fails to pay a contractor for work they were hired to do, the contractor may file a lien to cover the costs.
• Tax Lien: The IRS may file a federal tax lien if a person fails to pay their taxes or fill out their tax form incorrectly.
• Voluntary Lien: A lien where the person agrees to use the property they’re financing as collateral.
• Involuntary Lien: When a lien is given, without the approval of the property owner, by the IRS or through winning a lawsuit.
• Credit Card Lien: When a home improvement or mortgage lender, or tax authorities file a lien against a person for failure of payment. Liens cannot be filed by the credit card companies themselves.
• Child Support Lien: When a hold is placed on property until past due child-support payments are paid.

How To Search Judgements & Liens On Kiwi Searches

As we said previously, liens are available in public records. However, the process of going to your local or state records department and requesting them can be a hassle. The easiest way to find liens and judgments liens information is by conducting a Liens and Judgement Search online.

Using Kiwi Searches, simply enter the name and press search. Kiwi Searches will take care of the leg work in retrieving liens about you and other financial information. It will all be provided in a neatly wrapped report at little cost. You will receive a notice of any judgement and/or lien results. With this information, you can do as you wish including removing liens linked to you.

How Accurate Are The Kiwi Searches Results?

Results Kiwi Searches generate are highly accurate. The information retrieved is collated from their private databases and public records. Also, if a data issue is brought up to the company, they immediately work to resolve the problem. Rely on Kiwi Searches to obtain accurate information in a timely and affordable manner.

Frequently Asked Questions About Liens & Judgments

How Do Liens Work?

For a lien to be approved, it must be granted by the court or property owner. After this, the lien is filed against a person or property. Having a lien placed against a property or person can prevent the property from being sold or purchased and the person from obtaining mortgages and loans.

Do Liens Go Away?

It depends on the type of lien and the state you live in. Typically, they will stay on a person’s or property's record for 7-10 years.

How Do I Get A Lien Removed?

It is possible to get a lien removed from one’s or a property’s records. Here are some things you can do:

• Pay off the debt. If you don’t have enough money to pay off the lien, try to settle and negotiate with the lienholder.
• Object to the lien if you believe it’s incorrect. For example, For example, you may be consistently paying off your auto loan debts, but the lienholder made a filing mistake.
• File a dispute with the lienholder if you believe the lien was filed wrongly and you both cannot settle. However, make sure your claims are correct before following this route.

What Is The Difference Between A Judgement & Judgement Lien?

A judgement is a decision made by the court on a specific civil case. A judgement lien is an involuntary lien carried out on a person or property based on a court’s decision.

How Does A Lien Affect Your Credit?

All liens affect one’s credit. However, statutory and judgement liens typically negatively affect credit. Specific examples of bad liens include mechanic’s lien, tax lien, and auto lien. Due to these liens being on a person’s record for several years, it can affect their financial future.

How Long Does A Lien Stay On Your Credit Report?

Typically, a lien will stay on one’s credit report for 7-years.

Which Lien Has The Highest Priority?

Simply put, the first lien on your record is of the highest priority. Especially if it pertains to land, property, or real estate.