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Timing to file lien after preliminary notice

CaliforniaLien DeadlinesMechanics LienPreliminary Notice
Anonymous Contractor

Do I have 90 days to file the lien?

1 reply

Levelset Admin at Levelset
| 1,000 reviews
May 30, 2019
Great question! In California, there will typically be a fair amount of time between when a notice is due and when a lien claim would ultimately be due. CA preliminary notices are due within 20 days of first furnishing labor or materials to the project. They can be sent late, but late notice will only be partially effective.

As for the mechanics lien deadline, that deadline runs from the completion of the project - and the lien claimant will have 90 days from the completion of the project to file their mechanics lien. So, there will typically be more than 90 days between the time when a preliminary notice is sent from the deadline to file a lien.

However, depending on the circumstances, it's possible that the timeframes could line up to where a lien might be due relatively shortly after sending a preliminary notice.

For more information on California liens and notices, including explanations of their deadlines, these resources will be valuable:
(1) California Lien & Notice Overview; and
(2) The Ultimate Guide to California’s 20-Day Preliminary Notice.
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