How is a mechanic's lien created?

A mechanic's lien is created by performing work or providing materials for the improvement or repair of a property. This legal claim allows contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers who have contributed labor or materials to a property to ensure they receive payment for their services. The lien serves as a security interest in the property, which can be enforced by forcing a sale if the debt remains unpaid.

The process typically does not require court approval at the outset—meaning that it is not exclusively established through a legal proceeding. While written contracts can aid in establishing rights to file a lien, the lien itself arises automatically from the act of providing labor or materials, making it fundamentally tied to the work done or materials supplied rather than the existence of a formal document.