What constitutes a judgment lien?

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A judgment lien is a specific legal claim against a person's property that arises when a court issues a judgment against that person for the payment of a debt. This lien results from a legal process where a creditor obtains a judgment after bringing a lawsuit to court. Once the creditor successfully secures this judgment, it can attach to the debtor's real estate, allowing the creditor to eventually seek the sale of the property to satisfy the owed amount.

The essence of a judgment lien is its connection to a court judgment, distinguishing it from other types of liens, such as voluntary liens, which are placed by the property owner themselves, or tax liens that arise from unpaid property taxes. Unlike a general lien that may affect all property owned by a debtor, a judgment lien specifically targets the particular property identified by the creditor in connection with the judgment obtained. This specificity is vital for understanding the nature of judgment liens in the context of debt collection and property law.

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