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Preliminary Liens - Articles and Information

Preliminary Liens Can Make Or Break Your Business

Don't think that preliminary liens are all that important? They can make or break your business.

These notices, when served properly, will ensure that you get paid. It might not be right away but it'll happen eventually.

But, when not served properly, you have no guarantee that you'll get paid. You can't file a lien without preliminary liens so you have no recourse should you not get paid.

Did you serve it but accidentally missed a party? Once again, you've got no lien rights and no guarantee that you'll ever be paid.

Did you serve the notice and realized later that you've got incorrect information on the notice (bad address, wrong dollar amount, etc.)?

Did you miss the deadline?

Preliminary liens are an absolute must-have in most, if not all, states.

Some states even consider it at least a misdemeanor should a contractor not send the preliminary lien notice.

Whether it's a crime or not to not send preliminary liens, it's absolutely imperative to do so if you wish to protect your lien rights.

No matter what your question about preliminary liens, I'm sure there's an article listed below that addresses the issue or I can get an answer for you from one of my attorneys.

* Please note that some of the links below will take you to one of my other websites. A separate window will open so that you don't lose this page.

Article Series: Preliminary Lien Law

Image of, and link to, California 20-Day Preliminary Notice form

California 20-Day Preliminary Lien Notices
Word and PDF versions

  • Instant Download
  • Unlimited Usage
  • Unlimited Free Replacement
  • Unlimited Free Support
  • Exclusive, In-Depth, "Exactly How To Do The California Preliminary Notice" Article!

Construction-Business-Forms.com


Preliminary Notices and Conflicting Addresses

If the address on the Grant Deed is different than the address on the prelim information given to us by the General Contractor, who do we send it to?


Nevada Notice of Right to Lien & Request for Notice of Completion

The Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How - not necessarily in that order :o)


The California Preliminary Notice Covers Up to 20 Days Back

Just because you missed the deadline doesn't mean that all is lost!


Preliminary Lien Notice Research

A preliminary lien notice won't do you any good if they don't go to the correct entities.


California preliminary notice, Supplier didn't do one...

Unfortunately, a prelim is required to file a lien, even if you're a supplier.


Arizona Preliminary Liens

Arizona requires preliminary liens prior to mechanic's liens.




General Contractor Was Paid But He Won't Pay Sub

What should you do? Do you still have lien rights?


California mechanic's lien laws, preliminary notices, and change orders

Do you have to do a preliminary notice for change orders?


California Preliminary Notice & Architectural Fees

I am an architect who is having difficulty with the final payment of fees...


When a Preliminary Lien Notice is Refused

Did someone refuse your preliminary lien notice?


Preliminary Liens When There's More Than One Location

The potential ramifications of using one preliminary notice for several locations when they're all under the same contract


Image of, and link to, California 20-Day Preliminary Notice form

California 20-Day Preliminary Lien Notice
Word and PDF versions

  • Instant Download
  • Unlimited Usage
  • Unlimited Free Replacement
  • Unlimited Free Support
  • Includes an Exclusive, In-Depth, How-to Article!

Construction-Business-Forms.com


Preliminary Notices and Dollar Amounts

Make sure the $ amount on the prelim is as accurate as possible


Preliminary Liens and Non-Responsibility

Why you should serve the owner with a prelim even if he posts a notice of non-responsibility


Preliminary Notices and Signatures

Can the signature on a preliminary notice be a copy/fax or must it be 'wet'/original?


Amending a Preliminary Lien Notice

Is it better to amend the notice, or issue a new one?


Image of, and link to, California 20-Day Preliminary Notice form

California 20-Day Preliminary Notices
Word and PDF versions

  • Instant Download
  • Unlimited Usage
  • Unlimited Free Replacement
  • Unlimited Free Support
  • Includes an Exclusive, In-Depth, How-to Article!

Construction-Business-Forms.com


Serving the Wrong Party

When working in Arizona be sure to timely serve the preliminary notice *to the correct parties* or there could be trouble


Getting 'Stiffed' on the Job

Preliminary liens can help save you from being 'stiffed' on the job!


Property Records are your Friend

Research property records when doing your preliminary notices


Outsourcing your Preliminary Liens

Thoughts about using a company that handles your preliminary notices for you


Preliminary Liens - a detailed, step-by-step outline

A detailed step-by-step explanation of how to process preliminary notices


Preliminary Liens

Tracking the paperwork, the proof of service, and the USPS documents for prelims


Image of, and link to, California 20-Day Preliminary Notice form

California 20-Day Preliminary Lien Notices
Word and PDF versions

  • Instant Download
  • Unlimited Usage
  • Unlimited Free Replacement
  • Unlimited Free Support
  • Includes an Exclusive, In-Depth, How-to Article!

Construction-Business-Forms.com


Preliminary Liens and Notifying the Correct Parties

Make sure your prelims go to the correct entities


Mishandling of, or Not Processing, Preliminary Liens

Mishandling of, or not processing, preliminary liens is one of the top 10 mistakes contractors make




At one time the California preliminary notice form was mandated by California to be titled "20-Day Preliminary Notice Form" (exactly, word for word). The California mandate has since changed and the form is now known as the "Preliminary Notice Form" (again, exactly, word for word). Make sure what your state requires and make sure your forms are valid.




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