In the context of liens, what happens if the debt is not paid?

When a debt secured by a lien is not paid, the property that is subject to the lien can be foreclosed upon. This means that the lienholder, often a lender or creditor, has the legal right to take possession of the property in order to recover the owed debt. Foreclosure serves as a legal mechanism that allows the lienholder to sell the property at auction; the proceeds from that sale are then used to satisfy the outstanding debt.

This process is particularly prevalent in mortgage liens, where a borrower defaults on their loan, allowing the lender to initiate foreclosure proceedings to reclaim their investment. The ability to foreclose is a critical aspect of the lien's enforcement, as it provides a way for creditors to ensure they are compensated for the debt owed to them.

The other options do not accurately represent what happens when a lien is not paid. The automatic sale of property does not occur without the lienholder taking action. Additionally, liens do not simply remove themselves after a certain time without a specific action or legal procedure, and while legal actions may depend on providing notice to the debtor, this does not prevent the possibility of foreclosure if the debt is not addressed.