If you are currently in bankruptcy OR if you are just thinking about filing for bankruptcy relief, and are worried that you may have liens on your property, go to your local property room and do a check to see if any Judgment Liens are recorded.  More than likely, these Judgment Liens are going to be recorded in the “Miscellaneous Book” and will have a stamped book and page number, just like your recorded mortgage and deed.   

 You are probably asking yourself this question: “What if they aren’t recorded?  How can I find out if I’ve ever had a Judgment entered against me?”  Well, I have an answer for you!  Go to the county courthouse in which your property is located and do a search for Judgments against you.  Don’t forget to provide the Clerk with any other name you may have been known by in the past or nicknames you may use.  The clerk will then run a report and will be able to determine if any Judgment have been entered against you.  If there are Judgments, have that clerk print out a copy of these Judgments and bring them to your attorney’s office.  It can then be determined if the Judgment Lien can be avoided and ensure that the Lien is removed once your bankruptcy is discharged.    

 You would be surprised the amount of people that have Liens against their property and never realize it.  When they do discover those liens, it’s too late and it causes additional time, stress and more importantly…more money to have them removed and paid off. 

Remember…Judgment Liens don’t have to be recorded, so if you have ever had any kind of Judgment entered against you, that Judgment becomes on automatic lien on your property.  This is especially important to check out for clients already in bankruptcy and even more important for those thinking about filing.  Do your research and check everything out.  For those of you that have already filed, don’t worry.  The Judgment Liens can be added to your bankruptcy and taken care of in your case.