§3201 Judgment liens

Summary

A civil court judgment creates a lien on all of a debtor’s real estate when a certified copy of the judgment abstract is filed the same way a federal tax lien notice is filed under section 6323(f)(1) and (2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The lien covers the money needed to pay the judgment, plus costs and interest, and it has priority over any later liens. The lien lasts 20 years unless it is paid. It can be renewed one time for another 20 years if a renewal notice is filed before the first 20 years expire and the court approves; the renewal is treated as if it started on the original filing date. The lien must be released when a satisfaction or release is filed the same way the original was filed. A person with such a lien cannot get federal grants, loans, or program funds (except benefits they already are entitled to) until the judgment is paid, unless the agency makes a waiver rule. On proper court application, the court may order the United States to sell the property under sections 2001 and 2002, and the United States may also sell by execution under section 3203(g).