California Real Estate Practice Exam

Which of the following is a general lien?

1. mortgage

2. judgment

3. specific

4. mechanic's

The correct answer is: judgment

A general lien is a claim against all of a person's property, rather than a specific property, and a judgment lien is a perfect example of this. When a court issues a judgment against an individual for the amount of a debt, it allows the creditor to place a lien on all of the debtor’s property, not just specific assets. This means that any property owned by the debtor could potentially be used to satisfy the debt, making the judgment lien a powerful tool for creditors. In contrast, a mortgage is a specific lien that applies only to the property which secures the loan. Similarly, mechanic's liens are also specific, attaching to an individual property where the work was performed or materials were provided. The term "specific" used in the choices also indicates that it refers to liens limited to a particular property or piece of real estate. Thus, the distinguishing factor that makes the judgment lien a general lien is its ability to affect all of the debtor's property rather than targeting any single item.