(a) A verdict or order for a specific sum of money when entered in the judg- ment index shall create a lien on real property located within the county, title to which at the time of entry is recorded in the name of the person against whom the verdict or order was rendered. The lien shall continue for five years unless the verdict is sooner reduced to judgment or the court sooner awards a new trial or enters a judgment notwithstanding the verdict.
Rule 3022.Verdict or Order. Lien. Duration.
Adopted December 19, 2003 · Last amended January 26, 2010 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceA verdict or order for a specific sum of money, once entered in the judgment index, creates a lien on the defendant’s real property in the county and takes the priority the Judicial Code assigns from the time of entry.
Full Text of Rule 3022
(1) Except as provided by paragraph (2), the lien of a verdict or order for a specific sum of money shall have the priority prescribed by Section 8141 of the Judicial Code from the time the verdict or order is entered in the judgment index.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not affect the priority of the lien of a verdict or order for a specific sum of money created prior to the effective date of this rule.
(3) Section 8141(3), (4) and (5) of the Judicial Code, 42 Pa.C.S. § 8141(3), (4) and (5), are suspended in accordance with Article V, Section 10(c) of the Constitution of 1968 and Section 1722(b) of the Judicial Code, 42 Pa.C.S. § 1722(b), insofar as they are inconsistent with this rule.
Plain-English Summary
This rule gives a money verdict or order lien effect even before it ripens into a judgment. When entered in the judgment index, it becomes a lien on real property in the county that stands in the defendant’s name at that moment.
Priority runs from the time of entry under the Judicial Code’s priority provisions, except that liens created before the rule took effect keep their earlier priority. The rule also suspends parts of those provisions to the extent they conflict. The practical point is that a creditor can lock in a place in line as soon as the verdict or order is indexed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the lien last?
For the period this rule specifies, after which it must be revived to continue.
What happens when the period ends?
The lien lapses unless revived within the time the revival rules allow.
Official Note
Official Note: An order is defined by Section 102 of the Judicial Code, 42 Pa.C.S. § 102, to include, inter alia, a decision, a decree and an adjudication. Section 8142(b) of the Judicial Code, 42 Pa.C.S. § 8142(b), provides for the endorsement of time on recorded verdicts. ‘‘Overdue support obligations of this or any other state which are on record at the county domestic relations section shall constitute a lien by operation of law against all real property owned by the obligor within the county as provided in subsection (d.1).’’ See Section 4352(d) of the Domestic Relations Code, 23 Pa.C.S. § 4352(d).
Official Note: The effective date of this rule was July 1, 2004. For the priority of the lien of a verdict or order governed by subdivision (b)(2), see Section 8141 of the Judicial Code.
Official Note: Section 8141(3) of the Judicial Code provides that the lien of a verdict for a specific sum of money shall have priority from the time it is recorded by the court. Section 8141(4) of the Judicial Code provides that the lien of an adverse judgment and other orders shall have priority from the time it is rendered. Section 8141(5) of the Judicial Code provides that the lien of an amicable judgment shall have priority from the time the instrument on which it is entered is left for entry.
Amendment History
This Rule 3022 adopted December 19, 2003, effective July 1, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 22; amended October 15, 2004, effective immediately, 34 Pa.B. 5889; amended November 2, 2007, effective January 1, 2008, 37 Pa.B. 6201; amended January 26, 2010, effective immediately, 40 Pa.B. 700. Immediately preceeding text appears at serial pages (331715) to (331716).
Source & verification. Rule text, the Official Note, and the amendment
history are reproduced verbatim from the Pennsylvania Code, Title 231, the official compilation
of rules adopted by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Last verified June 30, 2026. ·
Official text
Also known as: verdict order lien duration