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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 Pennsylvania, 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 prothonotary of the county where the property is located. Once filed, this notice serves as a lien against the real property owned by the debtor in that county. The lien has the effect of notifying future purchasers and lenders that the judgment creditor has a legal claim on the property, which must be satisfied or paid out of the property's equity before the property can be sold or refinanced. The lien typically remains in effect for five years and can be revived by the creditor for additional five-year periods. It's important for judgment creditors to file the notice promptly to protect their rights and for judgment debtors to be aware that their real property may be encumbered by such liens.

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Civil litigation

judgment lien

Individual & Family Legal Plan

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Pennsylvania State Code

Pennsylvania State Code

Civil litigation

judgment lien

Articles