what is a lien 
a lien is a claim or legal right against assets that are typically used as collateral to satisfy a debt a creditor or a legal judgment could establish a lien a lien serves to guarantee an underlying obligation such as the repayment of a loan if the underlying obligation is not satisfied the creditor may be able to seize the asset that is the subject of the lien there are many types of lien that are used to secure assets dennis madamba investopedia