A legal claim filed against a property by someone who did work or supplied materials but wasn't paid.
A mechanic's lien is a statutory security interest in real property that can be claimed by contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, and other parties who have contributed labor or materials to improve the property but have not been paid. The lien attaches to the property itself, not just to the owner personally, and can be enforced through foreclosure proceedings. Each state has its own mechanic's lien statute with specific notice requirements, filing deadlines, and enforcement procedures.
A framing subcontractor who completed $120,000 of work but received only $40,000 files a mechanic's lien for $80,000 on the property within the statutory deadline.
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