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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 Maryland, 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 notice of the judgment, often referred to as an abstract of judgment, is filed with the clerk of the circuit court in the county where the property is located. The filing serves as a public record, alerting potential purchasers and lenders that the judgment creditor has a claim on the property. This lien generally has the effect of securing the debt owed under the judgment by the property itself, and it must be satisfied before the property can be sold or refinanced. The lien remains in effect for 12 years and can be renewed for additional 12-year periods by filing a notice of renewal before the original lien expires.

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Civil litigation

judgment lien

Individual & Family Legal Plan

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Maryland State Code

Maryland State Code

Civil litigation

judgment lien

Articles