Sub-sub serves a notice to owner. Sub performs work, but doesn't provide you a bill from sub-sub. How do you protect yourself if sub-sub really did perform work during the pay period other than via a zero dollar release or some similar instrument? Thanks!
The dollar amount of the release is not the important detail. It could say $1 million and the legal effect (for lien purposes) is the same. The important detail is the EFFECTIVE DATE of the release - i.e., the date through which the release acknowledges payment for work performed. And yes, you should obtain lien releases from every sub, sub-sub and material supplier who has served notice to owner from now until you get a final release.