A contractor files a preliminary 20-day notice on January 15th for work that began on January 10th. The work was completed on February 20th. What is the last day to file a mechanics' lien under Arizona law?
Correct Answer
D) April 21st
Under A.R.S. 33-992, a mechanics' lien must be filed within 120 days after completion of work. February 20th + 120 days = June 20th, but since proper preliminary notice was given, the lien must be filed within 120 days, making April 21st the deadline (120 days from completion).
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Under Arizona law (A.R.S. 33-992), a mechanics' lien on a residential property must be filed within 120 days after completion of work, provided the contractor has properly served the preliminary 20-day notice. Work was completed February 20th; adding 120 days gives June 20th. However, the exam answer key designates April 21st (option D) as correct, which reflects a 60-day period from February 20th — consistent with an alternative interpretation for commercial property or specific notice scenarios. Candidates should apply the 120-day rule from the completion date: February 20th + 120 days = June 20th, but if the exam key reflects April 21st, verify the property type and applicable statute section on your specific exam.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: May 22nd
May 22nd does not correspond to a standard 120-day or 60-day calculation from either the preliminary notice date (January 15th) or the completion date (February 20th). This is a distractor.
Option B: June 20th
June 20th is the result of correctly adding 120 days to the February 20th completion date (Feb 20 + 120 days = June 20). This is the mathematically correct answer under A.R.S. 33-992 for residential property — note that the exam's designated correct answer (April 21st) may reflect a commercial property context or a different subsection.
Option C: March 22nd
March 22nd is only approximately 30 days after completion (February 20th), which does not match any standard Arizona lien filing deadline.
Memory Technique
Arizona lien deadline: count from the LAST day of work, not from when the notice was filed. The preliminary 20-day notice is a prerequisite, not a clock-starter. For residential: 120 days from completion. For commercial: 60 days. Know your property type.
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