Florida Broker Practice Exam

Which of the following is considered a type of general lien?

1. Mortgage lien

2. Judgment lien

3. Property tax lien

4. Security interest

The correct answer is: Judgment lien

A general lien is a type of lien that attaches to all of a person's property, rather than just a specific piece of property. In the case of a judgment lien, it arises when a court renders a judgment against an individual, entitling the creditor to a claim against all of the debtor's assets. This means that the judgment debtor's property, whether it's real estate, personal property, or other assets, is subject to being seized or sold to satisfy the judgment. In contrast, a mortgage lien specifically pertains to real estate that is used to secure a loan; therefore, it is classified as a specific lien. A property tax lien is also specific because it applies only to the property for which taxes are owed. A security interest involves the right of a lender to take the specific property pledged as collateral if the borrower defaults on the loan. Therefore, the judgment lien is recognized as a type of general lien because it can be enforced against a broad range of the debtor's assets, not limited to any particular type of property.