Judgment

• Each state has specific laws pertaining to liens on property. In many cases, you must first obtain a judgment against the property owner. Filing a lawsuit in civil court is the first step to obtaining such a judgment. You will be expected to bring any evidence with you on your court date and present it to the judge. If the judge agrees you are owed the money, a judgment will be granted.
  
  When you paid the property taxes for your neighbor, it was no different than a cash loan for any other bill. Bring the property tax receipt to court, which should be listed in your name. Also, bring any written agreement you made with the property owner that defines the time frame in which you were to be paid back.
  
  

Unpaid Judgment

• Once the judgment is entered into record, you may begin collections. A property owner who fails to satisfy the judgment sets himself up for further collection efforts, up to and including a lien on the property. This is accomplished by keeping careful records of the date of the judgment ordering the property owner to pay, any evidence of collection efforts and a request for a lien on the property.
  
  

Lien Process

• A lien is typically filed with the local property deed office. This becomes a notice to all who perform a deed or title search on the property that you must receive your money before the property can be sold. The amount of the lien will also be listed.
  
  

Patience

• While the lien does not force the sale of the property, it does prevent the property owner from taking out a second mortgage, obtaining a home improvement loan or selling the property until you have been paid in full. Check with the deed department on an annual basis to be sure the lien is still properly listed and recorded against the property in question until you have received your money in full.