Mechanic Liens always seem to generate more than a few questions, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the process. The questions and answers listed here are by no means meant to be a comprehensive list, but they are some of the most common ones that we see. We hope they will give you a little more insight and information about what is needed to successfully help you resolve the lien you have based on your open repair order or repair bill. Of course, feel free to contact us and we’ll be happy to answer any additional questions you might have.
What is included in your services?
There are a number of steps that we perform on your behalf to convert the unpaid repair order or repair bill into a new title. These steps may include:
• Filing the mechanic lien in accordance with the appropriate law governing the state where the lien exists
• Placing the newspaper ad or ads as necessary to satisfy the legal requirements surrounding notification of the registered owner
• Attendance at the auction
• Filing paperwork with the governing court house and DMV
If the vehicle is sold at auction, you will not receive a new title to the vehicle. Instead, your lien will be satisfied from the proceeds of the sale. However, if the vehicle does not sell at auction and once all the steps have been followed as described above, the DMV will mail you a clean title directly. Once you receive the title, you are free to do whatever you wish with the vehicle…after all, it’s yours.
What do you need from me to get started?
There are a few things…we need a copy of the open repair bill/order, your contact information and a copy of your business license. Oh, and a little bit of money to get started. We’ve made it easy to get started by including a form on the appropriate pages for mechanic/labor liens, boat/vessel liens and towing/storage liens.
How long does it take?
In most circumstances, the process will take 60 days once the repair bill or repair order has been unpaid for three business days. If you’ve already had the vehicle for a few months, the process may take as few as 30 days. Like most processes, however, this is just an estimate based on our experience. One of the reasons why we ask for complete contact information from you is so that we can keep in contact during the process. We encourage you to keep in touch with us as well, either through the contact us form on the site, or at the phone number or email address listed below.
What is a Mechanic Lien?
The legal definition of a mechanic lien can be found at the Cornell Law School website, but, the common definition is – you’ve done work and haven’t been paid as agreed. This gives you a security interest in the property described on the repair order.
Am I guaranteed a title?
In most cases, yes, you will receive a clean title to the vehicle described on the unpaid repair order or repair bill. There are circumstances where you will not be granted a title – such as the vehicle being stolen – by the DMV, but we can go over all of those issues with you.
If I pay you half now and the lien-holder or customer pays, do I owe you anymore money? Did I lose money?
If the lien-holder or customer decides to pay the outstanding repair order or repair bill prior to our process being completed, yes, you still owe the balance for our services. You will not lose money, though. The customer or lien holder will have to pay for the entire repair bill balance that includes The Title Lady service and storage fees.
How much storage can I charge?
Easiest answer to that question is that it depends. Not only can the amount vary by state, but there are specific statues that govern the circumstances under which storage is calculated and applied. To illustrate the complexities of the storage issue, here in Florida if you start the lien process with us within 15 days of the repairs being completed, then you can have storage accrue. If not, then only 15 days TOTAL of storage can be collected. The average storage fee is $35.00 per day x 15.00 = 525.00 plus the title fees.
What will the starting price be when auctioning a car?
The starting price at auction will be the sum of the repair bill, storage and title fees.
How can I be compensated for your fees?
The fees are added to the repair bill for mechanic liens. This means if the repair bill is paid for, the fees are paid for. For example, a customer picks up the car or the car is sold at the auction.
What if there is another lien holder or the vehicle was being financed?
No matter what lien is currently on the car or money is owed by the customer to other institutions, our lien goes above all others. This means once we place the lien on the car all owners or lien holders have equal rights to the car from start of the paperwork to auction day. If either wants to pick up the car, they have to pay the remaining balance.
What if the repair bill is left unsigned and the customer is unreachable?
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What happens at and after the auction?
Auction day (prior to the vehicle coming to the block) is the last time an owner or lien holder can pay and pick up the car. Once the auction is over, we will begin the title transfer process.
