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Kentucky · TitleKentucky judgment liens: the notice of judgment lien, the debtor's copy and the ten-year expiration

A final money judgment of a Kentucky state or federal court of record becomes a lien on all real estate in which the debtor has any ownership interest in a county only after the creditor or its counsel files a notice of judgment lien with that county clerk – giving the court, case number, judgment date and the amount with interest rate, costs and fees – mails or delivers a copy to the debtor or the debtor's attorney with the text of the exemption statute and a notice that the debtor may be entitled to an exemption, and certifies the mailing on the notice. A lien on a judgment entered on or after June 29, 2023 expires ten years after the judgment date; for earlier judgments, at the earlier of the end of the judgment's limitation period or ten years after June 29, 2023. Expiration is postponed only if, before it, a proceeding to enforce the lien is filed and a notice of that proceeding is recorded in the county; the lien then ends with the judgment or dismissal in that proceeding (KRS 426.720).

What the statute sets

  1. Notice of judgment lien (KRS 426.720(1)(a))

    Filed with the county clerk: court, case number, judgment date, amount, interest, costs and fees.

  2. Debtor's copy (426.720(1)(b)–(c))

    Mailed or delivered with the exemption text; the mailing certified on the notice.

  3. Ten years (426.720(2))

    Judgments entered since June 29, 2023: ten years after entry; earlier ones by June 29, 2033 at the latest.

  4. Postponement (426.720(3))

    Only by an enforcement proceeding filed before expiry, with a notice recorded in the county.

What the TC does when a judgment lien shows on title

  • Check the judgment date and whether ten years have run or an enforcement notice was recorded.
  • Order the payoff and the release in time for the closing statement.
  • If the seller claims an exemption, have the seller's attorney review it before closing.

Questions about Kentucky judgment liens

When does a Kentucky judgment become a lien on real estate?

Only in a county where the creditor has filed a notice of judgment lien with the county clerk, mailed or delivered a copy to the debtor with the exemption text, and certified the mailing (KRS 426.720(1)).

How long does a Kentucky judgment lien last?

For a judgment entered on or after June 29, 2023, ten years after the judgment date, unless postponed by an enforcement proceeding filed and noticed in the county before expiry (KRS 426.720(2)–(3)).

Related guides

Track the judgment lien payoff and release as a task on the deal in ClosingCode.

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Source: KRS 426.720 (apps.legislature.ky.gov), read October 29, 2026.

General information, not legal advice. ClosingCode is software; it is not a law firm or brokerage. This guide is not a substitute for the advice or services of an attorney.