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5 May 2026

Mechanic's Liens (AL): A Practical Guidance Note

BA
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP

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Bradley is a national law firm with a reputation for skilled legal work, exceptional client service, and impeccable integrity. Our more than 750 attorneys provide business clients around the world with a full suite of legal services in dozens of industries and practice areas. Bradley’s 13 offices are located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and the District of Columbia, giving us an extensive geographic base to represent clients on a regional, national, and international basis. We frequently serve as national coordinating counsel, regional counsel, and statewide counsel for clients in various industries.

Alabama mechanics' lien law provides a statutory payment-security remedy that can encumber property title and be enforced through foreclosure. This comprehensive overview examines who may assert lien rights...
United States Alabama Real Estate and Construction
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This practice note provides an overview of Alabama mechanics’ lien law, describing the lien as a statutory payment-security remedy that can encumber title and, in limited circumstances, be enforced through foreclosure after judgment. It identifies the categories of parties who may assert lien rights-such as prime contractors, subcontractors, and certain suppliers and explains that entitlement depends on the nature of the project and the work or materials provided, including discussion of public-property and public purpose limitations and examples addressing what constitutes an improvement. It also addresses preconstruction professional services and other illustrative work types, including scenarios involving unfinished projects.

The practice note surveys lienable amounts and contractual limitations on items such as finance charges and attorney’s fees. It outlines what portions of real property may be subject to a lien, including geographic distinctions and the principle that the lien generally reaches only the owner’s interest. It sets out the overall procedural lifecycle-notice concepts, recording a verified statement, enforcement litigation, necessary parties, and the need to establish the underlying debt. Finally, it summarizes priority rules, waiver and release issues, and the process for transferring a lien to a bond. Click here for full access to this Practical Guidance document.

Republished with permission. This practical guidance document was published by LexisNexis. (login required)

Additional resources:

Pre-lien Notices

Statement of Lien

Releases of Lien

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

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