Illinois Real Estate Practice Exam

Which type of lien is placed on a specific piece of property?

1. General Lien

2. Voluntary Lien

3. Specific Lien

4. Involuntary Lien

The correct answer is: Specific Lien

A specific lien is a type of lien that is directly tied to a specific piece of property. This means that the lien gives the creditor an interest in a particular property as collateral for a debt. Examples of specific liens include mortgage liens and property tax liens, where the obligation is attached to the designated property itself. Consequently, if the debt remains unpaid, the creditor has the right to seek payment through the sale of that property. In contrast, a general lien is not confined to a specific item but instead attaches to all of the debtor's property, both real and personal. Voluntary liens are those that the property owner agrees to impose, often seen in cases like mortgages, while involuntary liens are imposed by law, typically without the owner's consent, such as tax or judgment liens. These distinctions clarify why the specific lien is the answer that accurately describes a lien that is solely associated with a particular property.