what debtors can do
there are a few ways a debtor can satisfy or avoid a lien altogether the first and most obvious option is to repay the debt if they pay off their obligation the creditor will remove the lien this is done by filing a release through the same place the lien was recorded the county or state it is also possible to avoid a nonconsensual judgment lien on a property or vehicle in bankruptcy referred to as lien avoidance if the following conditions hold true using lien avoidance can be an advantage to the debtor if and when it s available this can be particularly beneficial if a lien can be fully wiped out although it s still helpful in the case of partial lien avoidance examples of judgment liensif one person injures another person or their property in an accident through negligence the injured person may decide to sue for damages if insurance does not cover the injured party s required reparations a judgment lien may be placed against the negligent person s property the creation of this judgment lien secures payment of the claim if the debt is not paid the judgment creditor has the authority to take additional steps these could include seeking enforcement of the judgment by garnishing wages and potentially seizing bank accounts here s another example a judge may place a lien on a debtor s car for nonpayment of a car loan in this scenario if the debtor does not pay the creditor within a certain time period the car would be used to pay off the remaining debt if there s a balance left over the debtor is on the hook for that this example extends to trucks motorcycles or other motor vehicles as well judgment liens vs property lienswhile judgment liens are awarded by courts without the consent of the debtor property liens are different these liens are permitted by the debtor who agrees to give up the right to their property if they are unable to pay what they owe so unlike judgment liens property liens are considered consensual if you borrow a large sum of money such as to buy a home or a car the lender may require some form of security or collateral in that case the creditor may have a lien on that property by doing so the creditor knows it can foreclose on or repossess the property if you default on the loan and get at least some of its money back 