A Tennessee contractor completes a $45,000 residential addition project. The homeowner refuses to pay the final $8,500. What is the deadline to file a mechanic's lien under Tennessee lien law?
Correct Answer
D) 90 days from completion of the work
Tennessee lien law requires mechanic's liens to be filed within 90 days from completion of the work or last furnishing of materials.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Tennessee lien law requires that a mechanic's lien be filed within 90 days from the date of completion of the work or the last furnishing of materials. Missing this deadline extinguishes the contractor's lien rights entirely, making it critical to file promptly. The $45,000 project value and $8,500 unpaid amount are factual context but do not change the 90-day deadline.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: 120 days from completion of the work
120 days is not the Tennessee deadline for filing a mechanic's lien. While some states use 120 days, Tennessee law specifies 90 days. Filing after 90 days but before 120 days would still be untimely under Tennessee law.
Option B: 180 days from completion of the work
180 days is too long — Tennessee's 90-day window is half of this. Waiting 180 days would mean the lien rights have been extinguished for 90 days already. This deadline might be confused with the deadline to enforce (foreclose) a lien after it is filed.
Option C: 60 days from completion of the work
60 days is shorter than Tennessee's actual 90-day requirement. While some states have shorter windows (e.g., 60 days for subcontractors in certain states), Tennessee gives contractors 90 days from completion.
Memory Technique
Tennessee = 90 days. Think '90' like a right angle — when work is done, turn 90 degrees and file immediately. Or: TN → 'T' = 90° angle. 90 days to file.
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