Is it necessary for the Buyer to satisfy the judgment prior to purchasing the property?

Full question:

Property owned by Joint Tenants with right of survivorship was forclosed upon and judgment entered (Writ of Execution - Mortgage Foreclosure filed. Sheriff's Sale was scheduled and Stayed by Mortgee who charged off debtor's account. The property was abandoned and is in poor condition. Mortgee has agreed to satisfy $62,000 mortgage upon payment of $15,000 by Buyer. No equity in property and no money will be paid to Joint Tenants other than $10.00 consideration. There is an outstanding valid judgment against one of the Joint Tenants of $5,000 for credit card debt. There has been no attempt to execute upon the judgment. Is it necessary for the Buyer to satisfy the judgment prior to purchasing the property or will the judgment attach to the property and become the responsibility of the Purchaser; or does it remain the obligation of the Joint Tenant without effect to the property, as no consideration is being paid to either of the Joint Tenants?

• Category: Judgment Liens
• Date: 04/07/2025
• State: Pennsylvania

Answer:

A deed is the written document which transfers title (ownership) or an interest in real property to another person. The deed must describe the real property, name the party transferring the property (grantor), the party receiving the property (grantee) and be signed and notarized by the grantor. In addition to the signature of the grantor(s), deeds must be acknowledged to be recorded and acceptable as evidence of ownership without other proof. A valid deed must be delivered and accepted to be an effective conveyance. Most states assume delivery if the grantee is in possession of the deed. The deed also must be accepted by the grantee. This acceptance does not need to be shown in any formal way, but rather may be by any act, conduct or words showing an intention to accept such as recording the deed. To complete the transfer (conveyance) the deed must be recorded in the office of the county recorder or recorder of deeds in the county in which the real estate is located.

There are two basic types of deeds: a warranty deed, which guarantees that the grantor owns title, and the quitclaim deed, which transfers only that interest in the real property which the grantor actually has. The only type of deed that creates "liability by reason of covenants of warranty" as to matters of record is a general warranty deed. If a deed is intended to be a general warranty deed, it should contain a phase specified by state law such as the phrase "conveys and warrants". These words, called operative words of conveyance, carry with them several warranties which the grantor is making to the grantee. Examples of the warranties include that the grantor is the lawful owner of the property at the time the deed is made and delivered and that the grantor has the right to convey the property; that the grantor warrants that the property is free from all encumbrances or liens and that the grantor warrants that he or she will defend title to the estate so that the grantee and the grantee's heirs and assigns may enjoy quiet and peaceable possession of the premises with the power to convey the property.

A quit claim deed contains no warranties and the seller doesn't have liability to the buyer for other recorded claims on the property. A quit claim deed conveys to the grantee and the grantee's heirs and assigns in fee all of the legal or equitable rights the grantor has in the property that existed at the time of the conveyance. An example of operative words of conveyance are "convey and quit claim." There are no warranties of title. The purchaser takes the property subject to existing taxes, assessments, liens, encumbrances, covenants, conditions, restrictions, rights of way and easements of record. The quitclaim is often used among family members or from one joint owner to the other when there is little question about existing ownership, or just to clear the title.

A lien is a claim to property for the payment of a debt, typically one connected to the property. It is the right to retain the lawful possession of the property of another until the owner fulfills a legal duty to the person holding the property, such as the payment of lawful charges for work done on the property. The right of lien generally arises by operation of law, but in some cases it is created by express contract. There are two kinds of liens; particular and general. When a person claims a right to retain property, due to money or labor invested in that property, it is a particular lien. Liens may arise by express contract; from implied contract, as from general or particular usage of trade; or by legal relation between the parties, such as created with common carriers and inn keepers. In certain circumstances, the lien holder may foreclose on the property if the debt is not paid in full.

To create a valid lien, it is essential that the party claiming a lien should have the absolute property or ownership of the thing or, at least, a right to vest it; that the party claiming the lien should have an actual or constructive, possession, with the assent of the party against whom the claim is made; that the lien should arise upon an agreement, express or implied and not be for a limited or specific purpose that contradicts the express terms or the clear, intent of the contract. In certain circumstances, the lien holder may foreclose on the property if the debt is not paid in full. Liens can generally be removed by the payment of the amount owed. This payment can occur at any time up to and including the stage at which the closing documents for the sale of the property are signed.

There are several types of liens, all of which could cloud the title and prevent the seller from conveying marketable title to the buyer. A judgment lien is created when a court grants a creditor an interest in the debtor's property, based upon a court judgment. A judgment lien can be filed if an actual judgment in a lawsuit is obtained from a court. Such cases include failure to pay a debt, including credit cards, bank loans, or deficiency judgments on repossessed vehicles. In some circumstances, judgments can be enforced by sale of property until the amount due is satisfied. A plaintiff who obtains a monetary judgment is termed a "judgment creditor." The defendant becomes a "judgment debtor." secure payment of the claim to the injured party. After the judgment creditor places a lien upon the attached property, the next step in the collection process is to conduct a sale of the attached property to satisfy the judgment debt.

If a judgment has not yet been used to create a lien, it is not yet attached to the real property owned by the judgment debtor. Therefore, if the property is transferred before a lien is created against it, the judgment may not be used to collect on property no longer owned by the judgment debtor. Depending on the type of deed used, the buyer either takes the property as is, assuming responsibility for any existing liens, such as with a quit claim deed, or the seller may use a warranty deed to guarantee the property is free of liens.