A LIEN is a legal claim on property that allows a creditor to have a right to the property until a debt owed by the property owner is paid in full. It is a form of security interest granted over an item of property to secure the payment of a debt or performance of some other obligation. A LIEN serves to guarantee an underlying obligation such as the repayment of a loan. If the debt is not paid, the creditor may be able to seize the asset that is the subject of the LIEN.