All PropertyShield needs to file a lien for you, is the property address and information pertaining to what work you performed on the property. We take care of figuring out the legalities of the property, where to send the lien, who receives the lien and how much to pay for processing fees.

For your company records, PropertyShield mails you the copies of any documents that were mailed to the property owner, along with mailing you the original lien documents sent back to PropertyShield from the county recorder.

All the stress and time normally associated with liens, PropertyShield totally removes.

A Mechanical Pre-Lien is a notice to prevent the property owner from being surprised by the filing of a mechanic's lien by an unpaid subcontractor after the owner has fully paid the general contractor who did not pay his subcontractors. A Pre-Lien is only required when the property owner is not a General Contractor.

As a matter of practice, it is best to file a Pre-Lien for all jobs when you originally sign into your job contracts.

Mechanical Pre-Liens must be filed within 45 days after work or materials is first furnished on the project.

A Mechanic's Lien provides you, the lien holder, with a security interest in the real estate to which you contributed value through your work or materials.

A security interest in the property is important, because if the owner or general contractor refuses to pay for your services, you still have a source of payment.

Mechanic's Liens MUST be filed within 120 days of the last date of contribution to the property.

Two copies of the Mechanical Lien are notorized. One copy is mailed to the property owner and another copy is mailed to the County Register where that property resides. Both are mailed using United States Postal Service Priority. The property owner's Lien is mailed using Certified Mail with Signature Proof of Delivery.

Once PropertyShield receives confirmation from the county office of a successfully filed lien, you are mailed the original document for your records. PropertyShield will retain a scanned copy for our records.

This answer is dependent on the state:

Minnesota:

 1 year

California:

 3 months, then 3 month Lien Extensions can be filed

If you decide you are not going to be paid, you can file a 'Notice of Intention to File Suit' on the property. This document warns the property owner that if payment is not made, a 'Foreclosure of Lien' will be filed on their property.

If that doesn't work, you will need to use a lawyer to perform a 'Foreclosure of Lien' on the property. Refer to our Law Firms page for available law firms.

Most states entitle the lien holder, who successfully forecloses upon a lien, to the recovery of attorneys’ fees.

By law, you must submit a 'Lien Waiver' aka a 'Mechanical Satisfaction of Lien' document if your outstanding debt is paid. All you have to do, is from your My Shield page, find the property your debt was fulfilled on and click the 'Add Service' link. On the Service Selection page, select 'Lien Satisfaction', then continue.

We take the worry out of the Mechanical Lien process. You don't have to worry about where to mail the lien or how much of a filing fee you need to pay. Filing a lien has never been easier.

We provide services for: Minnesota Mechanical Lien (aka Minnesota Mechanic's Lien or Minnesota Property Lien), Minnesota Mechanical Pre-Lien and Minnesota Mechanical Satisfaction of Lien.