Untitled design

Mortgages – Mortgages expire five years after their maturity date.  If there is no maturity date on the mortgage then it will expire in 35 years.  See M.G.L. c. 260 § 33.

Writ of Attachment – These expire six years and 90 days after they are recorded at the registry of deeds.  M.G.L. c. 223 § 114A and REBA Title Standard No. 49.

Writ of Execution – These also expire six years and 90 days after they are recorded at the registry of deeds.  M.G.L. c. 236 § 49A and REBA Title Standard No. 47.

Federal Tax Liens – Such liens expire 10 years after their assessment date.  26 U.S. Code § 6502 and REBA Title Standard No. 54.

Massachusetts Tax Liens – These expire 10 years and 30 days after their assessment date.  M.G.L. c. 62C § 50(a) and REBA Title Standard No. 55.

UCC Financing Statements – A financing statement will expire five years after it is filed.  M.G.L. c 106 Art. 9 § 9-515.

Municipal Betterments or Assessments – The lien will expire 30 years after it is recorded at the registry of deeds.  M.G.L. c. 80 § 12 and REBA Title Standard No. 22.

Child Support Liens – A child support lien will expire 10 years after the lien is perfected.  M.G.L. c. 119A § 6 and REBA Title Standard No. 83.

Real Estate Tax Lien – These liens do not expire after they are recorded at the registry of deeds.  See M.G.L. c. 60 § 37A and REBA Title Standard No. 18.

Massachusetts Estate Tax Liens – A Massachusetts estate tax lien expires 10 years after the date of death, provided additional conditions are satisfied.  Refer to REBA Title Standard No. 24.

Federal Estate Tax Liens – Federal estate tax liens also expire 10 years after the date of death.  Again, additional conditions must be satisfied before the lien will expire.  See REBA Title Standard No. 3.

Extensions

Keep in mind that most liens can be extended.

A creditor can extend his lien by filing an extension in the registry of deeds before the lien expires.

Any Questions?

If you have any questions regarding real estate liens, don’t hesitate to contact me at justin@jrmccarthy.com.