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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 North Carolina, 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 court in the county where the real property is located. The filing serves as public notice that the judgment creditor has a claim against the judgment debtor's property. This lien generally has the effect of alerting future purchasers and lenders that the property is subject to a claim that must be satisfied out of the property's value to the extent necessary to pay the judgment. The lien remains in effect until the judgment is satisfied or expires according to state law, which in North Carolina is typically ten years from the date of entry of the judgment, with the possibility of renewal for additional ten-year periods.

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Civil litigation

judgment lien

Individual & Family Legal Plan

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North-Carolina State Code

North-Carolina State Code

Civil litigation

judgment lien

Articles