Enforcing A Lien In Washington State

In Washington State, many mechanisms exist to enforce a debt. One of the most powerful mechanisms is the claim of lien. At its most basic definition, a lien is a claim to the personal or real property of another who owes the creditor money. With respect to real property, a lien creates an encumbrance that can often prevent a property owner from refinancing or selling that property without first addressing the lien. As such, a lien serves as a powerful tool for collection of a debt.

Many people operate under a common misconception that they can automatically record a lien against another person's property for failure to pay a debt. Indeed, the exclamatory statement of: "I'll just record a lien!" comes up often, and unfortunately, often without proper legal context and understanding.