When They Owe You and Won’t Pay: Lock Down Their Property in New York

You did the work. You held up your end of the deal. But now the other side’s dodging your calls, missing payments, and pretending they don’t owe you a dime. It’s frustrating. It’s infuriating. And in New York, you don’t have to just sit there and take it. You can lock down their assets—real property, bank accounts, business holdings—through powerful legal tools that force them to pay up. When you're owed money, seasoned commercial litigation attorneys can help you act fast and strike where it counts.

At Horn Wright, LLP, we help clients across New York seize what’s rightfully theirs when others break agreements or try to disappear. Whether it’s enforcing a court judgment or filing a lien, our team knows how to pressure the other side into paying what they owe. We’ve helped individuals and businesses freeze assets and recover unpaid debts all over the state. When they try to run, we make sure they can’t hide.

How to Legally Seize What’s Yours in New York Court

Getting a lien isn’t about revenge. It’s about protection. When someone owes you and refuses to pay, the courts give you a few legal options to recover your money. The most effective one? Hitting them where it hurts—right in their assets.

If you already have a court judgment, you can petition for property seizure or liens. If you’re still in the middle of a lawsuit, you can request a pre-judgment attachment under CPLR §6201, which lets you freeze assets before the case even ends. This is especially useful when there’s a risk the debtor might move or hide their property.

Common seizure actions include:

• Real property liens placed on homes, commercial buildings, or undeveloped land
• Bank account restraints to prevent the debtor from draining their funds
• UCC liens on business assets, equipment, or accounts receivable

New York law backs creditors who take the right legal steps. But every move has to follow specific procedures—or the whole case could fall apart. That’s where experienced counsel becomes essential.

Smart, Aggressive Lien Moves That Hit Where It Hurts

If you're serious about getting paid, your strategy has to sting. Filing a lien is more than paperwork—it’s a message. It says, "You can’t just walk away from this."

Here's how liens put real pressure on the other party:

• They can’t sell or refinance property without addressing the lien
• Their credit and financing options take a hit as public records reflect the debt
• Buyers or partners back off when they see unresolved legal issues

In cities like Rochester or Albany, we’ve seen real estate deals collapse the moment a lien appears on title. That’s leverage—and it’s entirely legal.

You can also seek what's called a mechanic’s lien under Lien Law §10 if you provided labor or materials to improve real property but never got paid. This lien attaches directly to the improved property—even if the person who hired you isn’t the owner.

What Kind of Liens Pack the Most Punch in New York

Not all liens have the same impact. Some take longer to enforce, while others put immediate pressure on the other side. Choosing the right one depends on what you're owed and what assets are in play.

Here are three heavy hitters:

• Judgment liens – Once you win a lawsuit, you can file a lien against real estate your debtor owns in any New York county
• Mechanic’s liens – If you’re in construction or trades and weren’t paid for your work, this lien stops owners from selling until you’re compensated
• UCC liens – If your contract allows it, you can file a UCC-1 to attach a lien to business assets like inventory or equipment

Each lien type comes with deadlines and strict filing rules. Miss those—and the lien becomes worthless. For example, mechanic’s liens must usually be filed within eight months of finishing the work, or four months for single-family dwellings. Getting this right matters.

What to Do When Someone Fights Your Lien Back

Some debtors get scared and pay the minute a lien hits their property. Others? They fight. They’ll try to claim your lien is invalid, exaggerated, or filed out of spite. That’s when things can get tense—and expensive.

Common attacks include:

• Alleging procedural mistakes in the filing
• Claiming the work was incomplete or defective
• Arguing the debt isn’t legally enforceable

If you’re hit with a motion to discharge the lien, you’ll need to show that:

• You had a legitimate basis for the lien
• You followed all statutory deadlines and requirements
• The amount claimed is accurate and documented

Having detailed records helps. Contracts, invoices, change orders, emails—everything matters. And if the lien was part of a larger breach-of-contract case, your commercial litigation attorneys can link it to the broader claim to strengthen your position.

Secure What You’re Owed—Before It Disappears

Debts don’t pay themselves. And the longer you wait, the harder it gets to collect. At Horn Wright, LLP, our commercial litigation attorneys know how to act quickly and decisively when someone owes you money in New York. We’ll help you file liens, freeze assets, and apply legal pressure where it counts. If you’re ready to lock down what’s yours, it’s time to hire one of the best law firms in America. Call us today—because waiting could cost you everything.