That lien must be filed within 120 days of when a contractor last completes work at the property (Neb. Rev. Stat. 52-137). Unfortunately, that timing requirement may come up quickly when a kind homeowner isn’t able to pay.
Pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. 52-147 contractors that want to file a lien need to draft a lien and ensure it notes the following.
The form should leave at least three inches at the top for recording information.
The lien must be recorded within one hundred twenty days (120) days after the contractor last completed work or provided materials at the property. The lien needs to be recorded with the register of deeds in the county where the property is located.
Contractors that may be concerned about whether the owner of property is aware that they are completing work may want to send notice of their right to assert a lien as specified in Neb. Rev. Stat. 52-135. A contractor is only required to comply with Neb. Rev. Stat. 52-135 when the contracting owner is a “protected party”. A “protected party” is an individual who contracts to give a real estate security interest in, or to buy or to have improved, residential real estate all or a part of which he or she occupies or intends to occupy as a residence; or a person obligated primarily or secondarily on a contract to buy or have improved residential real estate or on an obligation secured by residential real estate if, at the time he or she becomes obligated, he or she is related to an individual who occupies or intends to occupy all or a part of the real estate as a residence (Neb. Rev. Stat. 52-129).
Many of our clients are kind people, who want to work with property owners to resolve amounts not yet paid. However, contractors must keep in mind the 120 day deadline to file their lien. Contractors that anticipate issues being paid, perhaps as the subcontractor of another subcontractor, could consider sending notice of their right to assert a lien. For questions regarding liens, contact an attorney at our Sioux Falls, Sioux City, or Omaha office today.
Angela Madathil is happy to assist if Contractors, Siding Companies, Roofers and other service providers in Nebraska, Missouri, and Kansas need assistance filing a construction lien, or filing suit to enforce the lien.
Angela Madathil is a Construction Attorney and provides legal assistance to Contractors, Roofing Companies, Siding Companies, Architects, and Engineers in Nebraska, Missouri, and Kansas. This can involve contract review and negotiation, ongoing contract guidance during a project, and risk mitigation when issues arise. The Goosmann Law Firm team advises Contractors, Architects, and Engineers throughout the Midwest and has attorneys licensed in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, and other states.