Which of the following is a general involuntary lien placed to ensure payment of taxes when someone dies?

Asked by: Prince Harris DVM  |  Last update: July 12, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (61 votes)

The correct answer is an Estate Tax Lien (or Inheritance Tax Lien).

Which of the following is considered an involuntary general lien?

These are imposed by law and placed on a property due to unpaid obligations. An IRS tax lien is an example of a general and involuntary lien.

What kind of lien is an inheritance tax lien?

The federal estate tax lien attaches to all property in the decedent's estate immediately upon death. This lien continues for 10 years and, interestingly, is usually not recorded in real property records. However, it remains enforceable against third-party purchasers.

What are the two types of liens?

What are the general types of liens? There are three general types of liens, consensual, statutory, and judgment liens. Consensual liens are voluntarily placed against a property, such as mortgages. Statutory liens are allowed by law and judgment liens are the result of a lawsuit filed for money owed.

Who is responsible for a tax debt when someone dies?

The personal representative—executor, administrator, or the person in charge of the decedent’s property—is responsible for paying taxes for a deceased person. Taxes are paid from the estate's assets, not the representative's personal funds, and are prioritized before distributing assets to heirs.

Daily Real Estate Exam Prep Question #114 - Tax Lien

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When someone dies, what happens to their taxes?

So when a person passes away, the executors or administrators of their estate step into their shoes. Executors can claim rights due to the deceased person and are liable to cover unpaid taxes. Generally, the IRS or relevant tax authority can only claim unpaid taxes through the deceased's estate.

What is a general lien?

General liens: A general lien allows a creditor to seize any and all of your assets to pay a specific debt. For example, if you own a primary residence and a vacation home, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can put a general lien on both properties until the debt is paid off.

What is an example of a general lien?

A general lien is a legal claim on all of a debtor's assets—rather than one specific item—to secure repayment of a debt, allowing creditors to seize properties, bank accounts, or vehicles if the debt is not paid. Examples include federal IRS tax liens, judgment liens from lawsuits, and, in some cases, bank, or business loans.

What is the most common type of lien?

Common types of liens include bank liens, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, real estate liens, and tax liens. Government entities can impose tax liens to collect unpaid taxes, affecting taxpayers' ability to sell assets or obtain credit.

What type of lien is a property tax lien?

A federal tax lien is the government's legal claim against your property when you neglect or fail to pay a tax debt. The lien protects the government's interest in all your property, including real estate, personal property and financial assets.

What is the tax loophole for inherited property?

Under IRC §1014, when you inherit property, your tax basis resets to the property's fair market value on the date the owner died. If your parent paid $200,000 for a home now worth $910,000, your new basis is $910,000 - not $200,000. You owe capital gains only on appreciation above $910,000 from that point forward.

Can someone put a lien on my property without me knowing?

Yes, it is possible. Certain liens, such as tax liens, judgment liens, or mechanic's liens, do not require a direct contract with the homeowner to be valid. For example, a court judgment or unpaid taxes can result in an involuntary lien being filed against your property even without your agreement.

What is an example of an involuntary specific lien?

The most common examples of an involuntary specific lien are: 

What property does a general lien attach to?

General liens can be enforced against any of a debtor's assets to settle a debt, affecting all property owned by the debtor. This means that if a creditor has a general lien, they can claim any of the debtor's property, whether it is real estate, personal property, or other assets, to satisfy the debt.

Can a judgement lien be placed on both real and personal property in Texas?

In Texas, you can attach judgment liens only to real estate, meaning land, buildings, and other improvements.

Which of these would be classified as a general lien?

In summary, a general lien is a claim against all of a person's property, not just a specific item or piece of real estate. Therefore, the correct answer is c. Judgment.

Which are the types of lien?

Common Lien Types:

  • Possessory Lien. This type of lien grants the lender a right to hold the debtor's property until the debt is repaid. ...
  • Non-Possessory Lien. Unlike a possessory lien, the lender does not take physical possession of the asset. ...
  • Floating Lien. A floating lien is often used for inventory or stock. ...
  • Fixed Lien.

Which of the following is an example of a lien?

A lien is a legal claim or right against a property, typically used as security for a debt or obligation. Common examples include mortgages, unpaid taxes, and court-ordered judgments.

What is a general lien in simple terms?

A general lien is a right of a creditor to retain property, not merely for charges relating to it specifically, but for debts due on a general account.

What is the difference between a voluntary lien and an involuntary lien?

Property liens can be voluntary or involuntary. Mortgages and home equity loans involve voluntary liens that you opt into, while tax liens, judgment liens, and contractor's liens are involuntary. Some creditors don't need permission to place a lien on your property if you haven't paid them.

Who is entitled to general lien?

(1) The right of particular lien can be claimed by every bailee who has in accordance with the purpose of a bailment, rendered any service involving the exercise of labour or skill in respect of the goods bailed provided that there is no contract expressing a contrary intention on the other hand, the right of general ...

When someone dies, who has to pay their debts?

The executor — the person named in a will to carry out what it says after the person's death — is responsible for settling the deceased person's debts. If there's no will, the court may appoint an administrator, personal representative, or universal successor and give them the power to settle the affairs of the estate.

What debts cannot be discharged by death?

What types of debts are not automatically forgiven when you die?

  • Credit card debt. Credit card balances don't go away when someone dies. ...
  • Mortgages and home equity loans. A home loan doesn't vanish automatically when you die. ...
  • Auto loans. ...
  • Medical debt. ...
  • Personal loans. ...
  • Federal student loans. ...
  • Debt consolidation.
  • Debt settlement.

What's the worst thing a debt collector can do?

Here are some things debt collectors are legally not allowed to do:

  • Call you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
  • Lie and say you'll go to jail.
  • Harass, threaten, or yell.
  • Call your employer if you tell them not to.
  • Talk to anyone else about your debt.