Equitable Liens

Sometimes a person contributes either money or valuable improvements to someone’s property, in exchange for a verbal promise they will receive something in return, such as an ownership interest in the property, repayment, or a part of the proceeds upon sale. Although there is nothing in writing, the party who lent the money or made the improvements can file a lawsuit to have a court determine she has an Equitable Lien on the property, which is enforceable against the property.