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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 Washington State, 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 county clerk in the county where the real property is located. The filing of this notice is a public act that serves to inform all potential future purchasers and lenders that the judgment creditor has a claim on the debtor's property. This claim is limited to the extent necessary to satisfy the amount of the judgment. The lien ensures that the creditor has a legal right to seek the sale of the property or payment from the proceeds of any sale of the property to satisfy the debt owed under the judgment.

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Civil litigation

judgment lien

Individual & Family Legal Plan

Articles

Washington State Code

Civil litigation

judgment lien

Washington State Code

Articles