Arizona · A.R.S. §§33-964, 33-967, 33-1101, 33-1103Arizona judgment liens at closing: the ten-year lien, the homestead exemption and the title insurer's partial release

Once recorded, an Arizona judgment becomes a lien for ten years after it is given on all of the judgment debtor's real property in that county, including property acquired later; state civil judgments and support judgment liens last until satisfied (A.R.S. §33-964(A)). A money judgment recorded since 1997 becomes a lien only with a separate information statement on the debtor, the creditor and the amount, or a later amendment to recorded judgment (§33-967(A), (C)). An Arizona resident's home is protected as a homestead up to $400,000 of equity, adjusted each January 1 since 2024 for the cost of living, and the protection follows identifiable sale proceeds for 18 months or until a new homestead is bought (§33-1101(A)–(D)); it doesn't protect against mortgages, mechanics' liens, support arrearages, or a recorded judgment when the equity exceeds the exemption (§33-1103(A)). When a homestead subject to a judgment lien is sold, the creditor is paid after the seller receives the exemption amount and after liens with priority (§33-964(B)). If the seller's expected payment after consensual liens and reasonable sale costs is under 80% of the exemption, a title insurer may record a partial release without prior notice; otherwise it mails the creditor a detailed certified-mail notice at least 20 days before the sale, and may record the partial release only if no objection arrives within 20 days (§33-964(B)(1)–(4)). The recorded partial release is conclusive in favor of purchasers and lenders for value (§33-964(B)(6)). After payment, the creditor must record a satisfaction of judgment (§33-964(E)).