What is a judgment lien?

A judgment lien is a legal claim against a property that is established when a court issues a judgment in favor of a creditor. This lien secures the payment of a debt that the debtor owes as per the court's decision. Essentially, when a judgment lien is placed on a property, it means that the creditor has a right to pursue the property to satisfy the debt if the debtor fails to make payment as ordered by the court.

In this context, the other options do not accurately describe a judgment lien. A notification of property sale pertains to the announcement of an upcoming sale, typically in relation to foreclosure or auction situations, but does not inherently involve a claim by a creditor. A type of mortgage commitment refers to agreements between a lender and borrower regarding financing for a property, which is distinct from a lien created due to a court judgment. Lastly, a lien for unpaid property taxes specifically relates to government claims on property for unpaid taxes, which is a different legal process than that of a judgment lien.

Thus, the accurate understanding of a judgment lien lies in its function to provide creditors with a secured interest in a debtor's property based on a legal judgment, allowing them a potential way to recover owed debts.