Can a ML be filed when payments to creditor were made over the prior 10 months and current month the lien was enacted

Hello, I am the pro se plaintiff in a lawsuit against a creditor for the improper initiation of a Mechanics Lien which forced the closing of my company. Defendant states regardless of payments made a debt was owed and the creditor has the right to file a mechanics lien. Thank you Gregory Kashdan 732 337 3095 gregoryk3@gmail.com