Answer: A discharge in bankruptcy voids the underlying judgment, but the discharge does not automatically remove a judgment lien from your property. If you qualify, your might be able to file a motion to avoid or cancel the line under Section 522(f) of the Bankruptcy Code.
Under Section 522(f), you can remove most types of judgment liens if the lien impairs an exemption that you would be entitled to claim under the law. Although bankruptcy is a federal law, it is largely state law that determines what property you can an cannot keep when a debtor files for bankruptcy.
Under California law, a homeowner can protect anywhere from $50,000 to $150,000 of the equity in a home from judgment creditors or creditors in a bankruptcy. A California judgment creditor can create a lien against the debtor's home by recording a document called an Abstract of Judgment. If the judgment lien impairs the debtor's ability to claim the maximum homestead exemption, the debtor can obtain a court order removing the lien under Section 522(f).
If you have a judgment lien against your home and want to learn more about how to remove it in bankruptcy, please feel free to contact us.
About the Author: Carl H. Starrett II has been a licensed attorney since 1993 and is a member in good standing with the California State Bar and the San Diego County Bar Association. Mr. Starrett practices in the areas of bankruptcy, business litigation, construction, corporate planning and debt collection.
4 comments:
I fit your example, but my home is in Park City, Utah... Do your comments and suggestions apply to me?
Ken Olsen
kolsen3@roadrunner.com
Ken, the short answer is yes, but you need to see an attorney in Utah. The judgment lien has to impair an exemption and exemptions are usually a state law.
What if the judgment lien is recorded prior to a consensual lien (i.e., home loan), due to a refinance of a prior home loan? Is it still possible to avoid some or all of the judgment lien? This is in California
I reside in California I recently received notification of an Abstract of Judgment placed on my real property from Amex. I owe them approx. 10k the house is worth about 220k I owe about 240k. I am in the process of filing bankruptcy Chapter7 will this remove the lien as well?
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