Full How-To Guide on Getting a Lien Removed in Arkansas

In Arkansas, lienholders are supposed to release and remove the liens when they are satisfied. Unfortunately, that doesn't always happen the way it should, and you have to take steps to remove the lien yourself. DoNotPay has tips on how to make sure any liens you have outstanding are released, how to fill out a lien release form, remove a lien on a credit report, a lien in your house, in your property, and how we can do it for you, simple and quick.

What Is a Lien?

Whenever you buy any good or service with some sort of a loan or payment plan, the creditor has the right to file a lien against you if you fail to hold up your end of the deal—that is, if you don't pay the bills. A lien is unlike a collection that can also be reported on your credit report, in that you can't sell that item until the lien is satisfied.

Types of Liens

Here in Arkansas, there are a few different types of liens. A home mortgage is the one that you're probably most familiar with, but here are the others.

• Car or other vehicles—motorcycle, ATV, or watercraft
• Mechanics—construction materials and labor
• Medical or nursing liens—services provided by hospitals, transportation, and doctors
• Unpaid tax liens

Removing a Mortgage

Contact your mortgage company when you have made your last payment to be sure they have started the paperwork to send you the paid Deed of Trust and Promissory Note. Mortgage lenders have entire departments for this, so getting your documents back should not be a problem. Let your insurance company know that the mortgage is paid so they will remove the lender from your policy.

Removing a Vehicle Lien in Arkansas

If your auto, boat, or motorcycle loan is through a dealer or other lender, they will typically handle the lien release for you. However if your loan is self-financed, through a friend or family member, you may need to take care of clearing the title. The lienholder should send you a completed Official Release of Lien (Form 10-315), and you will take that form to your local State Revenue Office to apply for a new title, free of liens. Here is the information you need.

1. Registration certificate
2. Tag number
3. Title number

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is also acceptable. There's a $10 fee and it usually takes about three weeks for the new title to get to you. If you haven't received the new title after a few weeks, you need to contact the lienholder or the state Office of Motor Vehicles. They will contact the lienholder on your behalf. If they have not responded to the OMV after 10 days, they will issue you a clear title anyway. Contact OMC here:

Mechanics Liens

The list of creditors who can file mechanics liens isn't just limited to mechanics. Anyone involved in construction has the right to file a mechanics lien in Arkansas. As long as there is a written contract for goods or services, a vendor can file a lien. Here's a short list:

• Contractors and subcontractors
• Material suppliers
• Architects
• Appraisers and inspectors
• Landscapers
• HVAC and appliance suppliers

Some people may be surprised to see that a vendor can include their profit in the lien, but as long as the contract was for a fixed price and the work was completed, profit can be included in the amount due. Once you have satisfied the lien, the lienholder has 10 days to file a lien release with the clerk of circuit courts. If the lienholder fails to file for the release, you may sue them for damages, court costs, and any attorney's fees you may incur in your efforts to release the lien.

Medical Liens

Although you may be surprised that a mechanics lien can include profit, you will be astonished to learn that health care providers can also file liens for services. Hospitals and ambulance services are the most likely to file a lien, but if you have been awarded damages for a personal injury, all providers may file a lien against your settlement to recover their costs. When you settle the lien, they have to follow the same rules as vendors who file mechanics liens.

Let DoNotPay Handle Your Arkansas Release of Lien

It seems unfair that you have to chase down the lien removal you're entitled to, but sometimes that's the case. If going to the courthouse and filing paperwork or going to the OMV is not something that works with your schedule, let DoNotPay file the paperwork for you. It's quick and easy, and you can do it on your schedule. Here's how.

1. Search for remove my lien on DoNotPay. 
2. Start our Remove My Lien product. 
3. Answer some questions about your specific lien and let us help you craft a letter to your creditor to resolve the issue. 

 DoNotPay Can Do Other Tasks, Too

Our technology can help you solve all kinds of problems. If you need to go to small claims court over a lien dispute, we can help with that, or file release of liability affidavits. Since we are all over the US, we're able to help you close out-of-state bank accounts, clean up your credit report, get credit limit increases, and more. DoNotPay is here to solve your problems with the click of a button.