Under California Civil Code Section 8200, what is the maximum time limit for a contractor to record a mechanics lien after completion of a work of improvement?
Correct Answer
B) 90 days
California Civil Code Section 8412 establishes that a mechanics lien must be recorded within 90 days after completion of the work of improvement. This deadline is strictly enforced and failure to record within this timeframe results in loss of lien rights.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
California Civil Code Section 8412 (commonly referenced alongside the Section 8200 series) requires a direct contractor to record a mechanics lien within 90 days after completion of the work of improvement. This 90-day window begins from the date of completion (or cessation of work), and missing this deadline extinguishes lien rights entirely — there is no grace period.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: 60 days
60 days is not the deadline for a direct contractor. This timeframe can appear in related mechanics lien contexts (e.g., a subcontractor or materialman has 90 days if no notice of completion is recorded, or 30 days if one is recorded), which causes confusion. The 60-day figure is a distractor designed to test precision.
Option C: 180 days
180 days far exceeds the statutory deadline. California's mechanics lien law is deliberately strict to protect property owners from prolonged cloud on title. No contractor classification has a 180-day window under Civil Code Section 8412.
Option D: 120 days
120 days is also incorrect. The statute does not provide a 120-day period for any standard mechanics lien claimant under a work of improvement. This is a plausible-sounding distractor that tests whether candidates have memorized the exact statutory figure.
Memory Technique
Use '90 = No Notice = Nine-Zero days.' If no Notice of Completion is filed, contractors get 90 days. Think of it as the full lien window. When a notice IS filed, the clock speeds up dramatically.
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Under California Civil Code Section 3262, when a contractor files a mechanics lien, what costs may be included in the lien amount beyond the unpaid contract price?
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