Mechanics Liens in Los Angeles and Southern California
Mechanics liens are only effective if you know how to use them.
Used correctly and in a timely fashion, mechanics liens or stop notices may be the best option available to construction contractors who are embroiled with a nonpayment issue or other type of dispute.
As part of our construction litigation Construction Disputes practice, the Law Offices of Laurence R. Clarke regularly advises contractors and subcontractors on specifics of filing mechanics liens. Our law firm has established a reputation as a knowledgeable and high-quality law firm that represents Los Angeles area construction professionals in disputes of all kinds, including mechanics lien disputes.
The Basics of Mechanics Liens
A mechanics lien is a legal document that allows a construction contractor or design professional to enforce their contractual rights to payment. The lien must be filed within a certain time period and in a certain form. Before filing the lien, the unpaid contractor or design professional must give formal preliminary notice to the party against whom the lien will be placed. Once the lien is in place, a post-lien lawsuit may be necessary in order to maintain the validity of the lien.
A mechanics lien may be filed against a general contractor, a lender, a property owner or against the property itself. Mechanics liens have priority over other creditors. This means that the holder of the mechanics lien has priority to receive payment if the property is sold.
In the meantime, an experienced construction law attorney at the Law Offices of Laurence R. Clarke will investigate your particular circumstances and explore other options that may be available to force payment.
