experience with liens

[Bobbygedd]

has anyone NOT been able to collect, on a lien? can anyone tell me about thier experiences with liens, good or bad

[dwyman]

Depends on the customer. If they are a deadbeat, they aren't going to pay you anyways. I've placed a few liens and got paid on all but one. It is just a piece of paper that says they can't sell their house without settling the lien first (or borrow against it I think). Like I said, depends on the customer. The one lien I didn't get paid on was filed a few years ago and it has a time limit on it which I think is up shortly, then I can go to small claims court. A bunch of meaningless paperwork that can scare some people into paying.

[Scaper-S2k]

Many states say you can't file a lien for mowing. Well, I guess you could go ahead and do it, but if the home owner wanted to, they could sue you for Defamation of Title (I think that's what it's called).

What type of work did you do? If it's landscaping, roofing, concrete work, etc, it's easy. You added products to the property that added value to that property. But mowing doesn't really fall in that category. It's simply mainaining what is already there. You could claim you added value by creating a better lawn, but that may be pushing it.

And you also have a limited number of days since you stepped foot on that property, as in how many days since you added those products and upgrades. Many people file liens and just overlook that stuff. But if you filed on a smart guy, he could come back and nail YOU with a lawsuit.

There are a few different types of liens though.


I had a very large corporation file bankruptcy when they owed us a decent chunk of change. Prior to them filing, I called a lawyer and got the answer I just posted. Now keep in mind, the lawyer at the end also said "I might still consider filing either way just to see what happens." Of course, he was wanting to do it and make the money. I was simply paying for his time and advice up to that point.




But as mentioned, things do vary by state somewhat I'm sure. Good luck either way.

[olderthandirt]

File the lein in your name agaist the debtor and put in the language that its payable to you your company or your heirs. If they don;t pay when there alive they pay when there dead. And at 2% a month its like hitting the lottery everytime some SOB finds out he has to pay or he can watch the buyer of his home walk away to find another one.