Reversing Real Estate Judgment Liens with Bankruptcy

 Posted on April 26, 2018 in Bankruptcy

Creditors know how to work the system to get the money owed to them. In some cases, creditors have the courts put a lien on debtor’s possessions without the owner’s consent or knowledge, granting the creditor a legal claim over the property. By placing a lien on real estate, a vehicle, or personal property, a creditor secures payment of the money owed, sooner or later.

Buyers will not purchase items without a clear title, and a lien makes any title unclear. Although a creditor has the option to sell the property, such as in foreclosure, most wait until the debtor chooses to sell the property. At that point, seller pays the debt out-of-pocket or uses part of the purchase price to repay the debt. Fortunately, in Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you may be able to avoid the whole ordeal by getting rid of the judgment lien altogether.

Consensual Versus Non-Consensual Liens

Liens are placed on property both with and without consent. If consent is given, it happens at the origination of the creditor-debtor relationship. For example, either the debtor is asking for money to purchase property, such as a home or a vehicle, where the bank would then own the property, and the purchaser makes payments to the financial institution; or the debtor is asking for a financial loan and offers property they already own as collateral.

Alternatively, if someone wins a judgment against another party in court and money is owed, a judge may grant a judgment lien, which frequently happens with unpaid debt. This is an example of a non-consensual lien.

Lien Avoidance

Through judgment lien avoidance, you can permanently remove a judgment lien. If this occurs during bankruptcy, you will own the property, free-and-clear with no other payments. Lien avoidance is recommended, if possible, even if you do not intend to keep the property long-term, as you can then sell the property to pay for other things. To qualify, the following must be true:

• The lien is a court-issued money judgment;
• There is exempt equity in part of the property; and
• Property loss impairs the exemption.

Reduce Courtroom Surprises

Many filers do not realize they have any liens on their property. Others discover partial claims. Sometimes, debtors do not have equity during the bankruptcy filing, but that changes down the road. In all of these circumstances, a New Braunfels, TX bankruptcy attorney can help. If there is a lien on your property and you have little, no, or even negative equity, the Law Offices of Chance M. McGhee will explore all of your options. Call us today for your free, no-obligation consultation at 210-342-3400.

Sources:

https://study.com/academy/lesson/types-of-liens-equitable-possessable-statutory.html

http://www.landlordstation.com/blog/what-is-a-judgment-lien/