71-3-131. Acknowledgment of lien satisfaction -- penalty. (1) Subject to subsection (2), when a lien authorized under this chapter is paid and satisfied or the claim upon which it is based has been found invalid by final order or judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, the creditors shall acknowledge satisfaction within 30 days and discharge the lien of record by filing a release of the lien in the office of the county clerk and recorder in each county in which the notice of lien was filed. If any creditor fails to acknowledge satisfaction, the creditor is liable to any person injured by the failure for a civil penalty of $100, plus any other damages provided by law.
(2) If the owner of the property against which a lien is filed pays the underlying claim before an action is filed on that claim or to foreclose the lien, the owner of the property against which the lien was filed shall pay the lienholder's costs and attorney fees incurred for filing and recording the lien before the lien may be released.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 525, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 240, L. 1999.
Structure Montana Code Annotated
Title 71. Mortgages, Pledges, and Liens
71-3-103. No lien for claim not due
71-3-105. Lien on future interest
71-3-108. Lien or contract for lien transfers no title
71-3-109. Certain contracts void
71-3-110. Enforcement of obligation by creditor
71-3-111. Creation of lien not a personal obligation
71-3-112. Holder of lien not entitled to compensation
71-3-114. Priority of purchase money mortgage
71-3-115. Order of resort to different funds
71-3-118. Rights of inferior lienor
71-3-119. Lien accessory to performance
71-3-120. Effect of partial performance
71-3-121. Extinction by sale or wrongful conversion
71-3-122. Lien extinguished by statute of limitations
71-3-123. When restoration extinguishes lien
71-3-125. Filing of agricultural lien statements