Liens & Judgments

What are Liens & Judgments?

Liens and judgments are legal claims or debts attached to a property that can prevent a clean title transfer. These encumbrances can include unpaid taxes, contractor bills, court-ordered debts, HOA fees, or existing mortgages. Our liens and judgments services involve thorough research of public records to identify any claims against the property, verification of amounts owed, and coordination of payoffs or releases to clear the title before closing.

Our team conducts extensive searches through county records, court documents, tax assessor offices, and federal databases to uncover any liens or judgments that could affect your transaction.

Understanding the Types of Liens We Handle

Property liens come in many forms, each requiring specific expertise to resolve. Tax liens from the IRS, state, or county take priority over most other debts and require careful handling. Mechanic's liens filed by contractors or suppliers have strict time limits and notice requirements. Judgment liens result from court decisions and may require tracking down creditors from years past. We also handle HOA liens for unpaid association fees and coordinate existing mortgage payoffs.

SoCal Title's Comprehensive Search Process

We utilize multiple resources to ensure nothing is missed. Our searches include county recorder and register of deeds offices where liens are officially filed, clerk of court records for judgment history, tax assessor records for property tax obligations, and federal court records for IRS liens and bankruptcy filings. We search not only by property address but also by current and previous owner names, including variations and misspellings, to catch any liens that might be attached to individuals rather than the property itself.

What You Can Expect

• ‍Thorough Discovery and Documentation
  We conduct multi-layered searches of public records, title plants, and proprietary databases to identify every lien and judgment affecting your property. You'll receive a detailed preliminary title report outlining all findings.‍
• Clear Communication and Explanation
  We provide you with a comprehensive title commitment that clearly identifies which liens must be resolved before closing and explains the nature of each encumbrance in plain language you can understand.‍
• Proactive Resolution Strategies
  Our team doesn't just identify problems but is proactive in solving them. We coordinate payoffs, negotiate with lien holders when appropriate, obtain necessary releases, and handle all documentation to clear your title.‍
• Experienced Problem-Solving
  Whether dealing with old zombie liens, hard-to-locate judgment creditors, IRS liens with specific redemption requirements, or complex mechanic's liens, our team has the expertise to navigate even the most challenging situations.‍
• Streamlined Closing Process
  We manage all lien payoffs directly at closing through the settlement statement, ensure proper recording of releases, and coordinate with all parties so your transaction proceeds smoothly without unexpected delays.‍
• Title Insurance Protection
  Once all liens are cleared, we issue your title insurance policy with confidence, knowing we've done the thorough work necessary to protect your investment.

Why Choose SoCal Title Company?

SoCal Title brings decades of combined experience handling complex lien and judgment issues throughout Southern California. Our team knows the local recording offices, understands regional property law nuances, and has established relationships with county officials that expedite the research and resolution process.

Our proactive approach sets us apart. Rather than simply delivering a list of problems, we immediately begin working on solutions. We contact lien holders, negotiate when beneficial, and coordinate releases. All while keeping you informed every step of the way.

When challenging situations arise and they often do with liens and judgments our experienced team has seen it before. From tracking down creditors who moved decades ago to navigating IRS lien redemption periods, we have the knowledge and persistence to resolve issues that might derail transactions with less experienced title companies.