§3201 Judgment Liens

Summary

A money judgment from a civil case creates a lien on all of the debtor’s real estate when a certified copy of the judgment is filed the same way a federal tax lien is filed. The lien covers the amount needed to pay the judgment, including costs and interest, and it takes priority over any liens or claims that are recorded later. 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 end and the court approves; the renewed lien counts from the original filing date. The lien is released when a satisfaction or release is filed the same way the judgment was filed. While the lien is in effect, the debtor cannot get federal grants, loans, or other federal funds (except benefits the person already earns) unless the debt is paid or an agency allows a waiver. On proper application, a court can also order the government to sell the property under federal sale rules, and that does not stop the government from using other sale procedures.