What is a senior lien commonly referred to?

A senior lien is commonly referred to as a tax lien. This type of lien takes priority over others in the event of liquidation or foreclosure, meaning it must be settled before other claims are addressed. Tax liens are placed by government authorities when property owners fail to pay taxes owed, and this encumbrance stays with the property until the taxes are paid.

In contrast, while mortgage liens and personal liens are also significant, they do not hold the same precedence as tax liens. A mortgage lien is a legal claim against a property by a lender as security for a loan, which will be paid after any tax obligations. Personal liens also represent claims against an individual's assets, but again, they are subordinate to a tax lien in terms of priority during debt recovery. Understanding this hierarchy of liens is essential for financial and legal assessments in real estate and property-related transactions.