What is a judgment lien?

A judgment lien is a legal claim against a property that arises when a court has issued a judgment in favor of a creditor after a lawsuit. This process typically occurs when a person or entity fails to pay a debt, leading the creditor to sue for recovery. Once the court reaches a decision and a judgment is issued, the creditor can then place a lien on the debtor's property as a means of securing the payment of the debt. This lien thus ensures that if the debtor sells the property or refinances it, the amount owed to the creditor is paid from the proceeds.

The other options describe scenarios that do not accurately reflect the nature of a judgment lien. For instance, while a claim on a winner's real estate may seem plausible, it does not encapsulate the legal specificity and timing that define a judgment lien, which is post-judgment rather than a mere claim. Legal fee charges do not relate to the property itself and don’t result in a lien, while a lien enforced prior to a court decision is not a judgment lien; it speaks to a different legal mechanism entirely.