A lien is a legal right or claim against specific property. The New York booklet describes it as a claim that attaches to property until a debt is satisfied. That makes lien one of the most useful bridge terms between property law and debt collection.
Liens can arise in different settings, but the core idea remains the same: the property stands as security or as the target of a legal claim. A mortgage on real property is one familiar example of a lien-producing instrument, though not the only one.
Why it matters: Notaries regularly encounter documents affecting property security, transfers, and post-judgment rights. Understanding lien vocabulary helps separate the underlying burden on the property from the notarial act performed on the document.
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