Lien Enforcement Disputes

Lien Enforcement Disputes in Colorado Construction & Real Estate

Construction lien disputes are a frequent point of contention in Colorado projects. It is especially prevalent when payment conflicts arise between property owners and general contractors or subcontractors. Whether you’re a homeowner, developer, or contractor facing a mechanic’s lien challenge, Hollington Law Firm, our construction lien attorneys can help you resolve these disputes and protect your property rights.

Understanding Mechanic’s Lien Disputes

Mechanic’s liens are legal claims filed by contractors, subcontractors, or suppliers worked on real estate and payment is delayed or withheld. In many instances, they’re fairly common in construction and real estate transactions. Colorado state law allows workers to attach a lien directly to the property title so they can get paid for the work they did. This can generate a lot of stress for every party involved. Property owners face title complications while contractors worry about getting paid.

Colorado lien laws can be tricky because they are highly technical. Deadlines, notice requirements, and filing procedures must be followed precisely without error. Small mistakes can invalidate a lien or drastically weaken a defense. Mechanic’s lien disputes often arise over:

• Payment Disagreements – Disputes over whether the work was completed as agreed or the amount owed

• Procedural Defects – Improper notices, missed deadlines, or inaccurate lien filings

• Subcontractor Claims After Full Payment – Sometimes a subcontractor files a lien even though the general contractor was paid in full

• Allegations of Inflated or Fraudulent Liens – Excessive liens may trigger statutory penalties and fee-shifting

These conflicts can escalate quickly and cloud title, delaying closings or refinancing without proper legal intervention.

The Benefits of Early Legal Intervention in Lien Disputes

Letting a mechanic's lien problems linger rarely helps anyone, delays risk which can cause costs to inflate and more legal headaches for both sides. By hiring an experienced payment enforcement lawyer early in the process:

• You clarify your rights & obligations before mistakes are made.

• You preserve critical evidence (contracts, emails) necessary for defending or enforcing a claim.

• You open channels for negotiation that may avoid litigation altogether.

• You increase your chances of a quick resolution so you can move forward with minimal disruption.

What to Do If a Lien Is Filed Against Your Property

Discovering a mechanic’s lien on your property can be stressful, but you have options to address it. Ignoring the lien can lead to default judgments. So, it's best to get ahead of it. Here are some actions to consider:

• Challenge the Lien's Validity – Many liens contain errors. Was it filed within the legal timeframe? Was the amount accurate? Our attorneys can identify procedural defects to invalidate the lien.

• Negotiate a Resolution – Disputes are often due to misunderstandings or disagreements over work quality. We can help negotiate a reduced payment or settlement to release the lien and help you put this in the past.

• Bond Off the Lien – Colorado law allows you to post a bond for 1.5 times the lien amount, removing it from your title while resolving the dispute. This is useful for urgent sales or refinancing.

• Demand a Lawsuit – If a lien seems frivolous, you can require the claimant to file suit within 30 days. Failure to do so forfeits their lien rights, often resolving weak claims quickly.

Our Approach to Contractor Lien Resolution

Liens are often about contractors protecting the value of hard work already done and helping them avoid cash flow issues. For property owners, they’re about protecting an investment they have made. Effective contractor lien resolution respects both realities. At Hollington Law Firm, we focus on:

• Early Case Screening & Tailored Strategy – We screen cases carefully so you’re never just a number. Early analysis lets us identify the best path, whether it’s negotiation, correction of procedural errors, or litigation.

• Compliance Review & Procedural Defense – We audit contract documents, notice records, lien statements, and timelines to find statutory defects that can invalidate liens.

• Bonding & Title Clearance – If a lien is recorded, we can help you “bond around” the lien to clear title so you can sell, refinance, or move forward with peace of mind.

• Negotiation & Dispute Resolution – Often, payment conflicts stem from change orders or scope confusion. We act as your payment enforcement lawyer, negotiating fair settlements based on clear documentation and industry standards.

• Litigation When Necessary – When settlement isn’t possible, we pursue or defend lien foreclosure actions in court, asserting your rights and aiming for the strongest possible result under Colorado Revised Statutes.

Why Clients Choose Hollington Law Firm

Lien disputes can feel impersonal at larger firms. At Hollington Law Firm, LLC, we take a different approach:

• Smaller, carefully screened caseloads so clients get real attention

• Direct communication with your attorney, not layers of handoffs or paralegals

• Technology-forward processes that save time and reduce friction

• Flexible fee arrangements that reflect the realities of construction disputes

• Deep familiarity with Colorado construction and real estate law

Serving the Denver Metro Area and the State of Colorado

We work with everyone involved in such legal disputes such as contractors, property owners, and real estate professionals throughout the Denver Metro area and across the state of Colorado. Lien enforcement disputes can feel overwhelming at first, but with the right guidance, they’re manageable and often resolvable sooner than expected.

Protect Your Investment and Reputation Today

If you’re facing a mechanic's lien issue and you are either a contractor seeking fair payment or an owner defending against an improper claim, you don’t have time (or money) to waste with the issues that grow with time in these situations. Schedule a consultation for honest and straightforward advice and fast action tailored just for you! The sooner you tackle contractor liens and payment enforcement issues with an experienced construction lien attorney by your side, the better protected you'll be.