Texas Commercial Collections Lawyers
General contractors and builders can only stay in business by getting paid and having the opportunities to sell their developed properties when the construction phases are complete. Litigation between property owners, general contractors and subcontractors often involves disputes about payments and remedies available to hold one party liable for the amount owed on the contract.
What Can a Mechanic's Lien or Materialmen's (M&M) Lien Do?
A mechanic's lien gives builders and subcontractors the option of placing a lien against the property, prohibiting its resale, until all money owed on the contract has been paid in full. You can also file a suit to foreclose on the lien, to force the property to be sold to pay the debt you are owed. Often called builder's liens or materialmen's liens, mechanic's liens are among the oldest laws in American history. As secretary of state under President George Washington, Thomas Jefferson introduced the legislation in order to protect the builders of the White House from having their wages and costs of material withheld by the new government.
The Texas property code has very strict, short time deadlines for sending notices, content of notice and lien affidavits. If you miss a deadline or content requirement, your lien is void and you can also be sued for wrongfully filing a lien. Experience and knowledge matter.
Kerr, Hendershot & Cannon represents property owners, developers, builders and contractors in all areas of collections remedies, including:
- Direct collections actions
- Mechanic's liens, builder's liens
- Liens by manufacturers of specialty building products
- Notice of a claim against a labor and material payment bond
- Creditors' rights, objections to bankruptcy discharge, preference actions
Representing Plaintiffs and Defendants in Builder Collection Remedies Since 1990
Our team has in-depth knowledge of collections remedies and creditor rights law in Texas. We are recognized as the region's leading law firm handling transactional and litigation matters for construction professionals and property owners involved with contracting developers and builders. If you are in a dispute over money in a building contract, it makes sense to get straight answers. Our attorneys understand mechanic's lien law in Texas. Talk to us first.
There is a difference between a commercial lien and a lien on a residential property. There are totally different requirements for each type of lien. Call us.
From our offices in Houston and Corpus Christi, we represent individuals and construction businesses throughout South Texas. Contact us to arrange a consultation with an experienced Texas construction collections remedies lawyer at our firm today.
