Except as provided in 53-6-181, the department may not file an application for issuance of a writ of execution to recover upon a lien imposed under 53-6-171 through 53-6-188 more than 3 years after the latest of: (1) a sale, transfer, or exchange of any right, title, or interest of the recipient in the property; (2) the death of the recipient; or (3) the death of the recipient's surviving spouse.