Lien

What it means

A lien is a legal claim on someone's property because of a debt. The most common types: a mortgage (the bank has a lien on the house until the loan is paid off). A tax lien (the government puts a lien on property for unpaid taxes). A mechanic's lien (a contractor puts a lien on a house for unpaid work). A judgment lien (a creditor who wins a lawsuit puts a lien on the debtor's property). A lien does not mean the property is taken away. It means the debt must be paid before the property can be sold or transferred.

When you might hear this

This comes up when someone owes money and the creditor puts a legal claim on their property — a house, a car, or a bank account. The lien makes it hard to sell or refinance the property until the debt is paid.

What to ask