Liens & Encumbrances

Specific Lien

A lien that attaches to one particular property rather than to all of a debtor's assets.


Definition

A specific lien is a claim against a single, identified property. Examples include a mortgage (attaching to the mortgaged property), a mechanic's lien (attaching to the property where work was performed), and a property tax lien (attaching to the taxed property). This differs from a general lien, which affects all of the debtor's property. When a specific lien is paid or resolved, it is released and no longer affects the property's title.

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