What is a lien?

A lien is an official claim against collateral for funds owed, which means it serves as a legal right or interest that a lender has in the borrower's property, granted until the debt obligation is satisfied. This typically occurs when an individual takes out a loan to purchase real estate or other significant assets, where the asset itself acts as collateral for the loan. If the borrower fails to repay the debt, the lender may have the right to seize the collateral to recover the owed amount.

Understanding that a lien is intrinsically linked to the concept of securing an obligation with an asset helps clarify its role in many financial transactions, especially in real estate and secured loans, where the lender wants assurance that they will have a claim to the property should the borrower default.