New Jersey § 2a:44a-20
Full text of New Jersey New Jersey Statutes § 2a:44a-20, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 2a:44a-20.
a . All valid liens filed pursuant to this act shall attach to the interest of the owner
from the time of filing of the lien claim , subject to this section and sections 3, 6, and 10 of P.L.1993, c. 318 ( C.2A:44A-3 , 2A:44A-6 and 2A:44A-10 ). b. A lien claim validly filed under this act shall have priority over a prior conveyance, lease or mortgage of an interest in real property to which improvements have been made , only if a Notice of Unpaid Balance and Right to File Lien is filed before the recording or lodging for record of a recordable document evidencing
that conveyance, lease or mortgage. The Notice of Unpaid Balance and Right to File Lien shall be filed in substantially the following form: Total contract amount: $ _______________ Amendments to contract: $ _______________ Total contract amount and amendments to contract: $ _______________ Less: Agreed upon credits: $ _______________ Contract amount paid to date: $ _______________ Amendments to contract amount paid to date: $ _______________ TO THE CLERK, COUNTY OF __________: NOTICE OF UNPAID BALANCE AND RIGHT TO FILE LIEN In accordance with the “Construction Lien Law,” P.L.1993, c. 318 ( C.2A:44A-1 et al.), notice is hereby given that: 1. ( Name of claimant ), individually or as a partner of the claimant known as ( Name of partnership ), or an officer/member of the claimant known as ( Name of corporation or LLC ) (Please circle one and fill in name as applicable ) located at ( Business address of claimant ) has on ( date ) a potential construction lien against the real property of ( name of owner of property subject to lien ), in that certain tract or parcel of land and premises described as Block __________, Lot __________, on the tax map of the ( municipality ) of __________, County of __________, State of New Jersey, in the amount of ($__________ ), as calculated below for the value of the work, services, material or equipment
provided. ( If claim is against a community association in accordance with section 3 of P.L.1993, c. 318 ( C.2A:44A-3 ), set forth the name of the community association and the name and location of the
property development. ) The lien is to be claimed against the interest of the owner, unit owner, or other
party, or against the community association(circle one; if “other”, describe : __________). 2. The work, services, material or equipment was provided pursuant to the terms of
a written contract (or, in the case of a supplier, a delivery or order slip signed
by the owner, community association, contractor, or subcontractor having a direct
contractual relation with a contractor, or an authorized agent of any of them), dated
__________, between ( claimant ) and owner, unit owner, community association, contractor or subcontractor ( circle one ), named or known as ( name of contracting party ) and located at ( address of other contracting party ), in the total contract amount of ($ ) together with ( if applicable ) amendments to the total contract amount aggregating ($ ). 3. In accordance with the above contract, this claimant performed the following work
or provided the following services, material or equipment: a. _______________ b. _______________ c. _______________ etc. 4. The date of the provision of the last work, services, material or equipment for
which payment is claimed is ( date .) 5. The amount due for work, services, material or equipment provided by claimant in
connection with the improvement of the real property, and upon which this lien claim
is based is calculated as follows: A. Initial Contract Price: $ _______________ B. Executed Amendments to Contract Price/Change Orders: $_______________ C. Total Contract Price (A + B) = $_______________ D. If Contract Not Completed, Value Determined in Accordance with Contract of Work
Completed or Services, Material or Equipment Provided: __________ E. Total from C or D ( whichever is applicable ): $ _______________ F. Agreed upon Credits: $ _______________ G. Amount Paid to Date: $ _______________ TOTAL LIEN CLAIM AMOUNT E - [F + G] = $_______________ 6. The written contract ( is ) ( is not ) ( cross out inapplicable portion ) a residential construction contract as defined in section 2 of P.L.1993, c. 318 ( C.2A:44A-2 ). 7. This notification has been lodged for record prior or subsequent to completion
of the work, services, material or equipment as described above. The purpose of this notification is to advise the owner or community association
and any other person who is attempting to encumber or take transfer of said property
described above that a potential construction lien may be lodged for record within
the 90-day period, or in the case of a residential construction contract within the
120-day period, following the date of the provision of the last work, services, material
or equipment as set forth in paragraph 4 of this notice. CLAIMANT'S REPRESENTATION AND VERIFICATION Claimant represents and verifies that: 1. I have authority to file this Notice of Unpaid Balance and Right to File Lien. 2. The claimant is entitled to the amount claimed herein at the date this Notice is
lodged for record, pursuant to claimant's contract described in the Notice of Unpaid
Balance and Right to File Lien. 3. The work, services, material or equipment for which this Notice of Unpaid Balance
and Right to File Lien is filed was provided exclusively in connection with the improvement
of the real property which is the subject of this Notice of Unpaid Balance and Right
to File Lien. 4. The Notice of Unpaid Balance and Right to File Lien has been lodged for record
within 90 days, or in the case of a residential construction contract within 60 days,
from the last date upon which the work, services, material or equipment for which
payment is claimed was provided. 5. The foregoing statements made by me are true, to the best of my knowledge. Name of Claimant _____________________________________ Signed _____________________________________ ( Type or Print Name and Title ) SUGGESTED NOTARIAL FOR INDIVIDUAL CLAIMANT: STATE OF NEW JERSEY COUNTY OF ss: On this _____ day of _____ 20_____, before me, the subscriber, personally appeared ( person signing on behalf of claimant(s)) who, I am satisfied, is/are the person(s) named in and who executed the within instrument,
and thereupon acknowledged that claimant(s) signed, sealed and delivered the same
as claimant's (s') act and deed, for the purposes therein expressed. ____________________ NOTARY PUBLIC SUGGESTED NOTARIAL FOR CORPORATE OR LIMITED LIABILITY CLAIMANT: STATE OF NEW JERSEY COUNTY OF [ ] ss: On this _____ day of _____ 20___, before me, the subscriber, personally appeared ( person signing on behalf of claimant(s) ) who, I am satisfied is the Secretary ( or other officer/manager/agent ) of the Corporation ( partnership or limited liability company ) named herein and who by me duly sworn/affirmed, asserted authority to act on behalf
of the Corporation ( partnership or limited liability company ) and who, by virtue of its Bylaws, or Resolution of its Board of Directors ( or partnership or operating agreement ) executed the within instrument on its behalf, and thereupon acknowledged that claimant
signed, sealed and delivered same as claimant's act and deed, for the purposes herein
expressed. ____________________ NOTARY PUBLIC c. A claimant electing to file a Notice of Unpaid Balance and Right to File Lien as described above need not serve a copy upon any interested party. d. After the filing of a Notice of Unpaid Balance and Right to File Lien, any person
claiming title to or an interest in or a lien upon the real property described in the Notice of Unpaid Balance
and Right to File Lien, shall be deemed to have acquired said title, interest or lien with knowledge of the anticipated filing of a lien claim, and shall
be subject to the terms, conditions and provisions of that lien claim within the period
provided by section 6 of P.L.1993, c. 318 ( C.2A:44A-6 ) and as set forth in the Notice of Unpaid Balance and Right to File Lien. A Notice of Unpaid Balance and Right to File Lien filed under this act shall be subject to the effect of a Notice of Settlement filed pursuant to P.L. 1979, c. 406 ( C.46:16A-1 et seq. ). e. The Notice of Unpaid Balance and Right to File Lien shall be effective for 90 days or in the case of a residential construction contract claim for 120 days from the date of the provision of the last work, services, material or equipment delivery for which payment is claimed as set forth in paragraph 4 of the Notice of Unpaid Balance and Right to File Lien. f. The lodging for record or filing of a Notice of Unpaid Balance and Right to File Lien shall not constitute
the lodging for record or filing of a lien claim nor does it extend the time for the lodging for record of a lien claim , in accordance with this act. g. Failure to file a Notice of Unpaid Balance and Right to File Lien shall not affect
the claimant's lien rights arising under this act, to the extent that no conveyance, lease or mortgage of an interest in real property occurs prior to the filing of a Notice of Unpaid Balance and Right to File Lien or lien
claim. h. A Notice of Unpaid Balance and Right to File Lien may be amended by the filing of
an Amended Notice of Unpaid Balance and Right to File Lien in accordance with this section.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Jersey § 2a:44a-20
What does New Jersey Statutes § 2a:44a-20 cover?
Section 2a:44a-20 is part of the New Jersey Statutes, the codified statutory law of New Jersey. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite New Jersey § 2a:44a-20?
A common citation format is "New Jersey Statutes § 2a:44a-20" (New Jersey). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of New Jersey law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the New Jersey official source linked on this page or consult a licensed New Jersey attorney.
How does New Jersey § 2a:44a-20 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in New Jersey can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in New Jersey.