District of Columbia Release of Judgment Lien — Full Release: A Comprehensive Guide The District of Columbia Release of Judgment Lien — Full Release is a legal document that serves to release the judgment lien attached to a property in the District of Columbia. This document is crucial for individuals or businesses looking to clear their property titles from the burden of a judgment lien. A judgment lien is created when a party obtains a court judgment against another party who fails to satisfy the judgment debt. This lien allows the judgment creditor to have a legal claim on the debtor's property. However, once the judgment debt is fully satisfied, the judgment creditor must release the lien to clear any encumbrances on the debtor's property. There are different types of District of Columbia Release of Judgment Lien — Full Release, including: 1. Voluntary Release: This type of release occurs when the judgment creditor willingly releases the lien after receiving full payment, satisfaction, or a negotiated settlement of the underlying judgment debt. The judgment creditor executes a release of judgment lien form, which is then recorded with the appropriate District of Columbia government office. 2. Court-Ordered Release: In some cases, a judgment debtor may file a motion with the court to request a court-ordered release of the judgment lien. This typically happens if the judgment creditor fails to release the lien voluntarily or disputes the satisfaction of the judgment debt. The court will then assess the situation and, if it determines that the judgment debt has been satisfied, issue an order to release the judgment lien. 3. Expiration of Lien: A judgment lien in the District of Columbia has a limited lifespan. If the judgment creditor does not take any action to renew the lien within the prescribed time frame (typically around 12 years), the lien will expire automatically. At this point, the judgment debtor can request a release of the expired judgment lien. Regardless of the type of release, it is essential to follow the proper procedure for recording the release of judgment lien with the District of Columbia government office responsible for maintaining property records. This ensures that the release is publicly acknowledged, and the property owner's title is cleared from any encumbrances. To initiate the release process, the party seeking the release must gather all relevant information, such as the judgment debtor's name, the amount of the judgment debt, the court case number, and the date of the judgment. They must also complete the appropriate release form, providing accurate details and signing it in the presence of a notary public. Once the release form is completed and signed, it must be submitted to the District of Columbia government office responsible for recording liens. The office will verify the authenticity of the release and record it in the property records, effectively releasing the judgment lien. In conclusion, the District of Columbia Release of Judgment Lien — Full Release is a vital legal document that relinquishes a judgment lien attached to a property. By following the appropriate procedures and recording the release with the relevant government office, individuals or businesses can ensure that their property titles are free from any encumbrances caused by judgment liens.