§ 697.030.Lien Effective During Period of Enforceability
Title 9. Enforcement of Judgments · Division 2 · Chapter 2. Liens · Article 1. General Provisions · Enacted 1982 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 28, 2026
Full Text of § 697.030
Plain-English Summary
A judgment isn't enforceable forever, and neither is a lien built on it. Section 697.030 links the two together as a default rule: a lien created under this title lasts for the period the judgment itself remains enforceable.
That default bends around two other sets of rules. Sections 683.180 through 683.200 govern renewing a judgment, which can extend the judgment's enforceable life and, with it, the lien's effective period. Section 697.040 covers what happens to liens when enforcement of the judgment is stayed -- a topic detailed enough to warrant its own section. And the opening phrase, "except where a shorter period is provided by statute," leaves room for specific lien statutes elsewhere in this division to set their own, shorter durations instead of defaulting to the judgment's full enforceable life.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a lien created under this title last?
By default, § 697.030 ties it to the period of enforceability of the judgment itself, unless a shorter period is set by statute.
Does renewing the judgment extend the lien?
It can. Section 697.030 is subject to §§ 683.180 through 683.200, which govern renewal of a judgment and, with it, its enforceable period.
What happens to a lien if the judgment is stayed?
Section 697.040 addresses that situation directly, and § 697.030 is expressly made subject to it.
Amendment History
Added by Stats. 1982, Ch. 1364, Sec. 2. Operative July 1, 1983, by Sec. 3 of Ch. 1364.