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What is the next step after filing a Mechanics Lien?

CaliforniaMechanics Lien

I am a small contractor, who worked on a large project. We completed this job in May. There is still a balance owing. We filed a Mechanics Lien. We are in the process of filing a claim on the contractors bond.

2 replies

Aug 21, 2020
There are 4 steps to take after you file a mechanics lien. Step 1: Send a copy of the mechanics lien to everyone In many cases, state law mandates that mechanics liens be served upon certain parties like the property owner or the general contractor. You should comply with these requirements of course — but also go a step further by sending copies of the mechanics lien to all potentially interested parties, including subcontractors, construction managers, property managers, lenders, and more.The more people you send a copy of your mechanics lien to; the more people are aware of your payment problems.Once you start distributing the mechanics lien claim, give it a little time. You want to give the mail service a chance to deliver the lien, and then give each recipient some time to review the claim and to talk about it internally. If you happened to file your mechanics lien with Levelset, you could skip this step entirely because we send copied of the liens we file to all interested parties on a project. Step 2: Communicate with the person most likely to pay & then call the property owner Communication is crucial to settling the dispute without having to resort to more drastic and expensive measures. Step 3: Send a Notice of Intent to Foreclose If your phone calls or emails don’t elicit payment or a payment plan, it’s time to escalate the claim. This can be achieved by sending a Notice of Intent to Foreclose. This notice should be sent by certified mail to the property owner, the prime contractor, and any other interested parties. The Notice of Intent to Foreclose is the final warning shot to all of the interested parties on the project. A Notice of Intent to Foreclose tells the party that they have one more opportunity to pay or your mechanics lien will be foreclosed upon. Step 4: File foreclosure lawsuit Most mechanics lien claims get paid before a foreclosure action is ever required. However, there are some instances when none of the above measures work, and foreclosing on your lien claim is necessary.To file a foreclosure action, you'll need to hire an attorney because, it is a lawsuit after all. You can read more about lien foreclosure here: Is Foreclosure with a Mechanics Lien Worth It? Good luck!
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Jun 12, 2023

If the payment dispute remains unresolved after sending the Notice of Intent to Foreclose, you may need to initiate a lawsuit to enforce the lien. Consult with an attorney specializing in construction law to guide you through the legal process. The attorney will help prepare the necessary documentation and represent your interests in court. see this 

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