property

lien

A lien is a claim against property that makes it security for the payment of a debt or obligation. If the debt is not paid, the lienholder can generally force a sale of the property to collect. Liens may be voluntary, like a mortgage, or involuntary, like a tax lien or judgment lien, and specific (one property) or general (all of a debtor's property). All liens are encumbrances, but not all encumbrances are liens.