Which lien is created by a court judgment and attaches to property to secure payment?

• A. Mechanic's lien
• B. Judgment lien
• C. Tax lien
• D. HOA lien

Answer: (B)

A judgment lien is created when a court orders a party to pay money, and that court order is filed as a lien against the debtor’s property to secure the payment. In Washington, once the judgment is recorded in the county where the property sits, it becomes a lien on the debtor’s real property in that county. The lien remains until the judgment is paid, or it expires and is discharged or renewed according to state law. The practical effect is that the lien can be enforced through actions like levying the property or selling it to satisfy the judgment.

This differs from other liens that arise from different sources. A mechanic’s lien comes from unpaid construction or repair work and is filed by a contractor to attach to the property. A tax lien results from unpaid taxes and is imposed by the government. An HOA lien arises from unpaid homeowners association dues. None of these require a court judgment to create the lien.