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Civil litigation

judgment lien

A judgment in a civil lawsuit will generally create a lien on the judgment debtor’s real property when notice of the judgment is filed with the county clerk in the county records where the judgment debtor owns real property. This public filing (often called an abstract of judgment) effectively puts all future purchasers and lenders on notice of the judgment creditor’s claim to the judgment debtor’s real property—to the extent necessary to pay/satisfy the judgment.

In Florida, when a judgment is obtained in a civil lawsuit, it can create a lien on the judgment debtor's real property. This occurs when a certified copy of the judgment, often referred to as an 'abstract of judgment,' is recorded with the clerk of the circuit court in the county where the property is located. Once recorded, this judgment lien attaches to any real property the debtor owns in that county and serves as a notice to future purchasers and lenders that the judgment creditor has a claim on the property. The lien remains effective for ten years and can be renewed for an additional ten years by recording a certified copy of the judgment prior to the expiration of the lien. This process ensures that the judgment creditor has a legal claim to the value of the debtor's property to the extent necessary to satisfy the judgment amount.

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Civil litigation

judgment lien

Individual & Family Legal Plan

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Florida State Code

Florida State Code

Civil litigation

judgment lien

Articles