Nevada Judgments & Liens

Introduction: Understanding Judgments and Liens in Nevada

In Nevada, judgments and liens represent legally enforceable claims against property or financial assets that can significantly impact credit, real estate transactions, and financial planning. A judgment is a formal court decision establishing that one party owes money to another, typically resulting from a lawsuit. A lien is a legal claim against property that secures payment of a debt or obligation, giving the lienholder the right to seek satisfaction from the property if the debt remains unpaid.

Nevada processes thousands of judgments and liens annually across its seventeen counties. Clark County alone, which includes Las Vegas, records tens of thousands of civil judgments and liens each year, while Washoe County (encompassing Reno) processes several thousand additional filings. These numbers reflect Nevada's active real estate market, construction industry, and robust commercial activity. Understanding how to search for and interpret these records is essential for property buyers, creditors, business owners, and anyone conducting due diligence on individuals or entities in the Silver State.

The three primary categories of liens and judgments in Nevada are distinct in origin and effect. Civil judgments result from court proceedings in Nevada's district courts, justice courts, or municipal courts, where a judge or jury determines that a defendant owes money to a plaintiff. Tax liens arise when the Internal Revenue Service or the Nevada Department of Taxation files a Notice of Federal Tax Lien (NFTL) or state tax lien against a taxpayer who has failed to pay assessed taxes. UCC liens (Uniform Commercial Code liens) represent security interests in personal property or business assets, filed under Nevada's version of UCC Article 9 to perfect a creditor's interest in collateral securing a loan or other obligation.

Each type of lien follows different filing procedures, has varying durations, and requires specific processes for removal. Nevada law, primarily codified in the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS), governs the creation, enforcement, and termination of all judgments and liens within the state, with particular emphasis on protecting both creditors' rights to collect legitimate debts and debtors' rights to basic property exemptions.

Types of Judgments in Nevada

Nevada recognizes several distinct categories of judgments, each with specific legal requirements and enforcement procedures under state law.

Civil and Court Judgments

Civil judgments in Nevada are monetary awards entered by a court after litigation between parties. Under NRS 17.150, a judgment or decree rendered in a Nevada court becomes a lien upon real property from the time a certified copy is recorded with the county recorder in any Nevada county. The judgment creditor must file an abstract of judgment with the county recorder's office to create this lien on real property located in that county.

Nevada judgments are valid for six years from the date of entry under NRS 11.190. Before the six-year period expires, a judgment creditor can renew the judgment for an additional six years by filing an affidavit of renewal and paying the required fee. There is no limit to the number of times a judgment can be renewed, meaning a diligent creditor can keep a judgment enforceable indefinitely through successive renewals. The renewal must occur before the judgment expires; once a judgment lapses, it cannot be revived.

Interest on Nevada judgments accrues at the rate established by the judgment or, if not specified, at the legal rate prescribed by Nevada law. Currently, post-judgment interest in Nevada accrues at the prime rate published by the Federal Reserve at the beginning of the calendar year, plus 2%, with adjustments each January under NRS 17.130.

Default Judgments

A default judgment is entered when a defendant fails to respond to a lawsuit within the required timeframe. In Nevada district courts, defendants typically have 21 days to respond to a complaint (NRS 12.020). If no response is filed, the plaintiff can request entry of default and subsequently apply for a default judgment. Default judgments carry the same weight as contested judgments and can be enforced through all available collection methods. However, defendants may move to set aside a default judgment under Nevada Rule of Civil Procedure 55(c) if they can demonstrate good cause, such as mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect.

Summary Judgments

Summary judgment is a procedural mechanism under Nevada Rule of Civil Procedure 56 that allows a court to resolve a case without trial when there are no genuine disputes of material fact. Either party can move for summary judgment, arguing that the undisputed facts entitle them to judgment as a matter of law. Summary judgments frequently occur in debt collection cases where the defendant has no factual defense to the claim. Once entered, a summary judgment functions identically to any other final judgment for enforcement purposes.

Confession of Judgment

Nevada law permits confession of judgment, also known as a cognovit judgment, where a debtor voluntarily agrees to entry of judgment without litigation. Under NRS 17.020, a debtor can authorize an attorney or other person to appear in court and confess judgment for a specified amount. This procedure is sometimes included in commercial loan documents, allowing creditors to obtain immediate judgments upon default. However, Nevada courts scrutinize these provisions carefully to ensure they were knowingly and voluntarily entered, particularly in consumer transactions.

Foreign Judgments

Nevada has adopted the Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act under NRS 17.330 through 17.440. This statute allows judgments from other states to be domesticated and enforced in Nevada through a streamlined process. The judgment creditor files an authenticated copy of the foreign judgment with the clerk of a Nevada district court, along with an affidavit containing specific information about the judgment. Once filed, the foreign judgment is treated as a Nevada judgment and can be enforced using all Nevada collection remedies. The debtor has 30 days to challenge the foreign judgment on limited grounds, such as lack of jurisdiction in the original state or satisfaction of the judgment.

Foreign judgments become liens on Nevada real property in the same manner as domestic Nevada judgments—by filing an abstract of judgment with the county recorder. The six-year duration and renewal provisions apply equally to domesticated foreign judgments.

Types of Liens in Nevada

Nevada law recognizes numerous types of liens, each governed by specific statutes and serving different purposes in commercial and property transactions.

Mechanics Liens

Mechanics liens (also called construction liens or materialmen's liens) provide contractors, subcontractors, laborers, and material suppliers with security for payment on construction projects. Nevada's mechanics lien statutes are found in NRS Chapter 108 and establish strict filing deadlines and procedural requirements.

In Nevada, the party seeking to file a mechanics lien must record a notice of lien with the county recorder in the county where the property is located within 90 days after the claimant ceases to provide labor, materials, or equipment to the project. The lien must contain specific information including the property description, the amount claimed, the name of the property owner, and a description of the work performed or materials supplied.

A preliminary 20-day notice is also required in most circumstances under NRS 108.245. This notice must be sent to the property owner and, in some cases, the general contractor within 20 days of first furnishing labor or materials. Failure to provide proper preliminary notice can result in loss of lien rights.

Mechanics liens in Nevada are valid for six months from the date of recording. To maintain the lien beyond six months, the lien claimant must file a lawsuit to foreclose the lien within that timeframe. If no foreclosure action is commenced within six months, the lien automatically expires and becomes unenforceable. Release of a mechanics lien occurs by recording a release document with the county recorder or through a court order following dismissal or settlement of a foreclosure action.

Tax Liens

Tax liens arise when taxpayers fail to pay federal or state taxes. The Internal Revenue Service files Notices of Federal Tax Liens (NFTL) with county recorders in Nevada to secure unpaid federal tax obligations. These liens attach to all property and rights to property owned by the taxpayer in that county. Federal tax liens remain in effect for ten years from the date of assessment, though the IRS can refile to extend this period.

The Nevada Department of Taxation similarly files state tax liens for unpaid Nevada taxes, including sales tax, use tax, and modified business tax obligations. Nevada state tax liens are governed by NRS Chapter 360 and follow procedures similar to federal tax liens. State tax liens generally remain in effect until the underlying tax obligation is paid, though they may expire under applicable statutes of limitations.

Release of tax liens occurs when the taxpayer pays the full amount owed or when the IRS or Nevada Department of Taxation issues a Certificate of Release. In some cases, taxpayers can negotiate subordination or discharge of specific property from the tax lien to facilitate refinancing or sale of property.

UCC Liens

Uniform Commercial Code liens, filed under Nevada's UCC Article 9 (codified as NRS 104.9101 through 104.9709), represent security interests in personal property and business assets. Common examples include liens on business equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, vehicles, and other personal property used as collateral for loans.

UCC financing statements are filed with the Nevada Secretary of State and remain effective for five years from the date of filing. Before expiration, secured parties can file a continuation statement to extend the effectiveness for an additional five years. UCC liens terminate automatically if no continuation is filed, or they can be terminated earlier by filing a UCC-3 termination statement.

Judgment Liens

As discussed earlier, judgment liens arise when a judgment creditor records an abstract of judgment with a Nevada county recorder. These liens attach to all non-exempt real property owned by the debtor in that county. Judgment liens last for six years and can be renewed before expiration. Release occurs by recording a satisfaction of judgment after the debt is paid or by court order.

Medical Liens

Nevada law provides for medical liens under NRS 108.590 through 108.598. Healthcare providers who treat patients for injuries caused by third parties can file liens against any settlement, judgment, or award the patient receives from the responsible party. These liens ensure that medical providers are compensated from personal injury recoveries. Medical liens must be filed with the county recorder and served on the patient and their attorney. The lien amount is limited to the reasonable value of services provided and is subordinate to attorney fees and costs.

Homeowners Association Liens

Nevada's Common-Interest Ownership Act (NRS Chapter 116) grants homeowners associations (HOAs) significant lien rights for unpaid assessments, fines, and fees. HOA liens in Nevada are particularly powerful—under NRS 116.3116, an HOA's lien for up to nine months of unpaid assessments has "super priority" status, meaning it can take priority over even first mortgage liens in foreclosure proceedings.

HOAs can foreclose on their liens through non-judicial foreclosure proceedings, potentially resulting in the sale of the property to satisfy relatively small debts. Nevada law requires HOAs to follow specific notice procedures before foreclosing, including providing the homeowner with notice and an opportunity to cure the default. HOA liens remain in effect until satisfied or foreclosed, and release requires payment of all amounts owed plus any collection costs and attorney fees.

How to Search for Judgments in Nevada

Conducting thorough judgment and lien searches in Nevada requires checking multiple databases and repositories, as no single comprehensive statewide database exists for all types of liens and judgments.

Nevada Court System Online Tools

Nevada operates a two-tiered court system with limited and general jurisdiction courts. For civil judgments, researchers should check both levels.

The Nevada Supreme Court maintains the Nevada Court Records Search portal at nvcourts.gov, which provides access to case information from participating courts. However, not all Nevada courts provide online access to their records through this portal.

Clark County District Court (serving the Las Vegas metropolitan area) offers case search capabilities through its website at clarkcountycourts.us. Users can search by party name, case number, or attorney name to locate civil cases and judgments. The system provides case summaries, docket entries, and information about judgments entered.

Washoe County Courts (serving the Reno area) provide online case access at washoecourts.com. The case search system allows searches of district court, justice court, and municipal court records.

For other Nevada counties, researchers may need to contact the district court clerk directly or visit the courthouse in person. Many rural Nevada counties do not maintain comprehensive online case databases, requiring in-person or telephone research.

County Recorder Searches

To search for recorded judgment abstracts and liens against real property, researchers must check the county recorder's office in each county where the debtor may own property.

The Clark County Recorder's Office maintains an online database at clarkcountynv.gov/recorder where users can search recorded documents including abstracts of judgment, mechanics liens, tax liens, and satisfactions. The system is searchable by document type, recording date, party name, and document number.

The Washoe County Recorder offers similar online search capabilities at washoecounty.us/recorder. Users can search the official records index for recorded liens and judgments.

Other Nevada counties with online recorder systems include Carson City, Douglas County, Elko County, Lyon County, and Nye County. Smaller counties may require in-person visits or written requests to search recorder records.

Nevada UCC Database Through Secretary of State

The Nevada Secretary of State maintains the central filing system for UCC financing statements. The UCC search system is available at nvsos.gov under the Commercial Recordings division. The database allows searches by debtor name (individual or organization) and provides access to active and lapsed UCC financing statements.

The Nevada Secretary of State charges a fee for official UCC searches but offers a free preliminary search option that provides basic information about filed financing statements. Official certified searches are required for transactions requiring definitive lien status, such as real estate closings or business acquisitions.

Federal Tax Lien Searches

Notices of Federal Tax Liens (NFTL) are filed with county recorders in Nevada, making them searchable through county recorder databases. However, because the IRS may file NFTLs in multiple counties, comprehensive federal tax lien searches require checking the recorder's office in each county where the taxpayer may own property or conduct business.

The IRS does not maintain a public online database of filed tax liens, so researchers must rely on county-level searches. Title companies and commercial search firms typically check all Nevada counties when conducting comprehensive tax lien searches for real estate transactions or business due diligence.

Third-Party Aggregators

Several commercial services aggregate public records data from multiple Nevada sources, offering convenient multi-jurisdiction searches. These services include national providers like LexisNexis, Westlaw, and TLOxp, as well as regional title companies and judgment research firms.

While third-party databases offer convenience, they should not be relied upon as the sole source for critical transactions. These databases may have gaps, delays in updating, or incomplete coverage of rural counties. For important matters like real estate closings, business acquisitions, or credit decisions, conducting direct searches of official government databases remains the best practice.

Nevada UCC Filings

Nevada has adopted the Uniform Commercial Code Article 9, governing secured transactions in personal property, as NRS 104.9101 through 104.9709. This comprehensive statutory scheme establishes the rules for creating, perfecting, and enforcing security interests in personal property and fixtures.

Under Nevada's UCC Article 9, a security interest in most types of personal property is perfected by filing a UCC-1 Financing Statement with the Nevada Secretary of State. The financing statement identifies the debtor, the secured party, and describes the collateral covered by the security interest. The description can be general ("all assets") or specific to particular types of collateral.

The Nevada Secretary of State's Commercial Recordings Division maintains the central UCC filing system. Financing statements can be filed online through the Secretary of State's website, by mail, or in person at the Carson City office. The filing fee for a standard UCC-1 financing statement is currently $25 for online filings and $50 for paper filings, though fees are subject to change.

UCC financing statements remain effective for five years from the filing date. To maintain perfection beyond five years, the secured party must file a UCC-3 Continuation Statement within six months before the five-year period expires. The continuation extends effectiveness for an additional five years and can be filed repeatedly to maintain perfection indefinitely.

Secured transactions in Nevada commonly include equipment financing for businesses, inventory financing for retailers, accounts receivable financing, and security interests in vehicles not covered by certificate of title laws. When a loan is paid off or the security interest is released, the secured party should file a UCC-3 Termination Statement, which removes the financing statement from active status and clears the debtor's UCC record.

Searching Nevada UCC records is essential for anyone extending credit to a business, purchasing business assets, or conducting due diligence on commercial entities. The search reveals existing security interests that may have priority over subsequently created interests and helps assess the debtor's financial condition and creditworthiness.

How Judgments Affect Credit and Real Estate in Nevada

Judgments and liens have significant consequences for both credit ratings and real estate transactions in Nevada, creating obstacles that must be addressed before property transfers or credit extensions can proceed.

When a judgment is entered against an individual or business in Nevada, it typically appears on credit reports maintained by the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Although recent changes to credit reporting practices have reduced the reporting of civil judgments, many judgments still impact credit scores, particularly when they result in liens against property or lead to collection activities.

Judgment liens against real property in Nevada attach when an abstract of judgment is recorded with the county recorder. Once recorded, the lien attaches to all non-exempt real property owned by the debtor in that county at the time of recording and to any real property the debtor subsequently acquires in that county during the judgment's effective period.

In real estate transactions, title companies conducting title searches will discover recorded judgment liens and require their satisfaction before issuing title insurance or allowing a transaction to close. The judgment lien gives the judgment creditor a claim against sale proceeds, meaning the lien must typically be paid from closing proceeds when the property is sold.

Nevada's homestead exemption, codified in NRS 115.010, protects up to $550,000 of equity in a primary residence from judgment liens (as of 2023; this amount is subject to legislative adjustment). However, this exemption does not prevent a judgment lien from attaching to the property—it merely prevents forced sale to satisfy the judgment as long as the equity does not exceed the exemption amount. When the property is voluntarily sold, the judgment lien must still be satisfied from the proceeds, but only to the extent equity exceeds the homestead exemption.

For buyers of Nevada real estate, discovering existing liens during the title search process requires either negotiating with the seller to clear the liens before closing, arranging to pay the liens from purchase proceeds, or requiring the seller to reduce the purchase price to account for the liens. Purchasing property subject to liens without addressing them means the buyer may take title subject to those liens, creating future problems.

Collecting on a Judgment in Nevada

Nevada law provides judgment creditors with multiple tools to collect on unpaid judgments, though debtors also receive significant exemptions protecting basic assets from collection.

Wage Garnishment

Wage garnishment is one of the most common collection methods in Nevada. Under NRS 31.295, a judgment creditor can garnish up to 25% of a debtor's disposable earnings or the amount by which disposable earnings exceed 50 times the federal minimum hourly wage per week, whichever is less. "Disposable earnings" means gross wages minus legally required deductions (taxes, Social Security, etc.).

The garnishment process begins when the judgment creditor serves a writ of garnishment on the debtor's employer. The employer must withhold the allowed amount from each paycheck and remit it to the court or directly to the judgment creditor as directed. Wage garnishments continue until the judgment is satisfied or the employment ends. Nevada law provides additional protections for certain types of income, including Social Security benefits, which are generally exempt from garnishment.

Bank Levies

Judgment creditors can levy bank accounts by serving a writ of execution on financial institutions where the debtor maintains accounts. The bank must freeze the account and turn over non-exempt funds to satisfy the judgment. However, Nevada law under NRS 21.090 exempts certain funds from bank levies, including direct deposits of Social Security, SSI, veterans' benefits, and certain other government benefits for 45 days after deposit.

Property Execution

Nevada judgment creditors can execute on non-exempt personal property through a writ of execution delivered to the sheriff or constable. The officer seizes the property and sells it at public auction, with proceeds applied to the judgment. However, Nevada's exemption statutes protect substantial personal property from execution.

Nevada Exemptions

Nevada provides generous exemptions protecting debtors' essential assets from judgment collection. Under NRS Chapter 21, these exemptions include:

• Homestead exemption: Up to $550,000 of equity in a primary residence (NRS 115.010)
• Vehicle exemption: Up to $15,000 of equity in a vehicle, or an unlimited amount if the vehicle is equipped for use by a disabled person (NRS 21.090)
• Personal property exemption: Household goods, furniture, appliances, and other personal items up to $12,000 total (NRS 21.090)
• Jewelry and art: Up to $5,000 (NRS 21.090)
• Tools of trade: Tools, equipment, and materials used in the debtor's profession, trade, or business up to $10,000 (NRS 21.090)
• Retirement accounts: Most retirement plans, including IRAs and 401(k) accounts, are exempt (NRS 21.090)
• Public benefits: Social Security, unemployment, workers' compensation, and veterans' benefits are fully exempt

These exemptions are per debtor, meaning married couples can potentially double many exemptions. Debtors must affirmatively claim exemptions by filing appropriate paperwork when creditors attempt collection against exempt property.

Removing or Satisfying Liens and Judgments in Nevada

Once a judgment is paid or a lien is no longer valid, Nevada law requires specific procedures to clear these encumbrances from public records.

When a judgment is fully satisfied, the judgment creditor must file an Acknowledgment of Satisfaction of Judgment with the court that entered the judgment within 30 days of satisfaction, under NRS 17.220. If the judgment creditor fails to file the satisfaction after receiving payment, the debtor can petition the court to enter satisfaction, providing proof of payment. The court may award attorney fees and damages to the debtor if the creditor wrongfully refuses to acknowledge satisfaction.

If an abstract of judgment was recorded with a county recorder, the satisfaction must also be recorded with that same recorder's office to remove the lien from the property records. The debtor should obtain a certified copy of the satisfaction from the court and record it with the county recorder where the abstract was originally filed.

For mechanics liens, the lien claimant should record a Release of Lien with the county recorder after receiving payment. If the lien claimant refuses to release a lien after proper payment, Nevada law under NRS 108.2275 allows the property owner to petition the court for an order releasing the lien and may recover attorney fees and costs.

Nevada law also allows property owners to bond around mechanics liens under NRS 108.2415. By posting a bond equal to 150% of the lien amount, the property owner can have the lien released from the property, with the bond substituting as security for the claim. This procedure is particularly useful when a property sale is pending and the validity of the mechanics lien is disputed.

Statute of limitations defenses can also eliminate old judgments. While Nevada judgments last six years and can be renewed, if a judgment creditor fails to renew before expiration, the judgment becomes unenforceable and any associated liens become void. Debtors can file a motion to have expired judgments removed from court records and can record documents clearing expired judgment liens from property records.

Do-It-Yourself Resources for Nevada

Nevada provides numerous resources for individuals handling judgment and lien matters without attorneys, though complex cases may still require professional legal assistance.

The Nevada Supreme Court Law Library operates self-help centers in Las Vegas and Reno, providing free access to legal research materials, computers, and assistance from staff who can help locate relevant statutes and court rules. While staff cannot provide legal advice, they can direct users to appropriate resources and forms. The Law Library website at nevadalawlibrary.org offers online research guides and links to legal resources.

The Clark County Law Library in Las Vegas, located in the Regional Justice Center, maintains an extensive collection of legal materials and provides assistance to self-represented litigants. The library's website includes helpful guides on common legal topics including judgments and collections.

Each Nevada district court maintains a self-help center or provides forms and instructions for common legal procedures. The Nevada Eighth Judicial District Court (Clark County) operates a comprehensive Self-Help Center at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas, offering assistance with civil matters, including judgment enforcement and responding to lawsuits. Information is available at clarkcountycourts.us.

The Nevada Second Judicial District Court (Washoe County) provides similar self-help resources through its Family Law Self-Help Center, which also assists with some civil matters. Resources are available at washoecourts.com.

Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada provides free legal services to low-income Clark County residents in civil matters, including some debt and judgment issues. The organization's website at lacsn.org provides information about eligibility and services.

Nevada Legal Services offers free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals throughout rural Nevada and in Washoe County. Information is available at nevadalegalservices.org.

Many standard court forms are available on the Nevada Supreme Court website and individual district court websites, including forms for satisfaction of judgment, writs of execution, and exemption claims. These forms typically include instructions for completion and filing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a judgment last in Nevada?

A Nevada judgment is valid for six years from the date of entry under NRS 11.190. Before the six-year period expires, the judgment creditor can renew the judgment for an additional six years by filing an affidavit of renewal. There is no limit to the number of times a judgment can be renewed, so a judgment can potentially remain enforceable indefinitely if properly renewed every six years. If the judgment is not renewed before expiration, it becomes unenforceable and any judgment liens based on it are void.

Can a creditor garnish my wages in Nevada?

Yes, judgment creditors can garnish wages in Nevada, but the amount is limited by NRS 31.295. Creditors can garnish the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount by which weekly disposable earnings exceed 50 times the federal minimum wage. Certain types of income, including Social Security benefits, are exempt from garnishment. The employer must receive a court-ordered writ of garnishment before withholding wages, and employees have the right to claim exemptions if the garnishment would create undue hardship.

How do I search for liens against a property in Nevada?

To search for liens against Nevada property, check the county recorder's office in the county where the property is located. Most Nevada counties, including Clark and Washoe, offer online databases searchable by property address or owner name. You should search for recorded abstracts of judgment, mechanics liens, tax liens, and HOA liens. Additionally, check for UCC liens on personal property through the Nevada Secretary of State's UCC database. For comprehensive searches related to real estate transactions, consider hiring a title company to conduct a professional title search.

What is Nevada's homestead exemption, and how does it protect me?

Nevada's homestead exemption under NRS 115.010 protects up to $550,000 of equity in a primary residence from forced sale to satisfy most judgments. This means judgment creditors cannot force the sale of your home to collect on a judgment as long as your equity does not exceed $550,000. However, the homestead exemption does not prevent judgment liens from attaching to the property. When you voluntarily sell the property, judgment liens must be satisfied from the proceeds, though you retain the exempt amount. The homestead exemption does not protect against mortgage foreclosures, tax liens, or mechanics liens for work performed on the property.

How do I remove a mechanics lien from my Nevada property?

A mechanics lien can be removed from your Nevada property in several ways. If you pay the amount owed, the lien claimant must record a release of lien with the county recorder. If the lien claimant refuses to release the lien after payment, you can petition the court for an order releasing it under NRS 108.2275. Mechanics liens automatically expire six months after recording if the lien claimant does not file a foreclosure lawsuit within that time. You can also bond around the lien by posting a bond equal to 150% of the lien amount under NRS 108.2415, which releases the lien from the property while preserving the claimant's ability to pursue the bond. If the lien is invalid or improper, you can file a lawsuit to have it declared void and removed.

Can an HOA foreclose on my home in Nevada for unpaid assessments?

Yes, Nevada law under NRS Chapter 116 grants homeowners associations powerful foreclosure rights. HOAs can foreclose on liens for unpaid assessments, fines, fees, and collection costs. Nevada is one of the few states where HOA liens have "super priority" status for up to nine months of unpaid assessments, meaning the HOA lien can take priority over even first mortgage liens in certain circumstances. HOAs can use non-judicial foreclosure procedures, which are faster and less expensive than judicial foreclosure. Before foreclosing, the HOA must provide specific notices and an opportunity to cure the default. If you face HOA foreclosure, it is critical to act quickly, as the process can move rapidly and result in loss of the property.

What happens to a judgment if I file bankruptcy in Nevada?

Filing bankruptcy in Nevada generally discharges most civil judgments, eliminating your personal obligation to pay them. However, judgment liens that were properly recorded before the bankruptcy filing may survive bankruptcy and remain attached to your property, even though you no longer have personal liability. You may be able to avoid (remove) judgment liens on your homestead in bankruptcy if the lien impairs your homestead exemption under federal bankruptcy law. This is accomplished by filing a motion to avoid the lien in the bankruptcy case. Certain types of judgments, such as those for fraud, willful injury, or domestic support obligations, are not dischargeable in bankruptcy. Consult with a bankruptcy attorney to understand how bankruptcy will affect specific judgments and liens in your situation.

How do I domesticate an out-of-state judgment in Nevada?

To domesticate a judgment from another state in Nevada, you must use the Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act under NRS 17.330 through 17.440. File an authenticated copy of the foreign judgment with the clerk of a Nevada district court in the county where you wish to enforce it, along with an affidavit containing the name and last known address of the judgment debtor and the judgment creditor, and stating whether the judgment has been satisfied in whole or in part. The