Judgment Liens
A judgment entered in the Court of Common Pleas automatically creates a lien on the debtor's real property located in that county.
42 Pa.C.S. § 4303
Notice: Judgment collection procedures can be complex and vary by court and county. This information is provided for educational purposes. For guidance specific to your judgment, consult with a licensed Pennsylvania attorney.
Key Points
Created automatically when the judgment is entered/indexed in CCP
The lien must be satisfied before the property can be sold or refinanced with clear title
Lien priority is generally based on the date of entry — first in time, first in right
The lien is effective for 5 years and must be revived before it expires
To create a lien in another county, transfer the judgment to that county's CCP
Lien Revival
To revive a judgment lien before it expires, file a Praecipe for Writ of Revival within the 5-year period.
Why Judgment Liens Matter
Judgment liens are one of the most powerful collection tools in PA because the debtor cannot sell or refinance their property without paying off your lien.