Making Alabama's Lien Law Work for You
If you are a construction worker, subcontractor or company that supplies construction materials, you have a right to be paid promptly. When a construction company tells you, "you'll get paid when we get paid," tell them, "wrong answer."
Under Alabama state lien law (Section 53.11.210) subcontractors or material suppliers who give materials or labor to a construction project and haven't been paid have a right to file a construction lien against the property owner in probate court.
This means that if you are a contractor, subcontractor or vendor, your right to be paid for work and materials is protected by more than your contract with the construction company or the contractor above you. Your rights are protected by the lien law.
Using Lien Law to Get the Payment You Deserve
In order to obtain satisfaction under Alabama lien law, you must first send the proper written notice to the property owner within four months of the last day you provided materials or service on the construction project in question.
The law allows you to six months to file a lien in most cases. There are some differences in the timelines depending upon whether your case involves materials, services or labor. For example, if you are seeking to file a lien for unpaid labor, the law requires you to submit notice to the property owner within 30 days of the last day you worked on the project. Filing a mechanics lien may also require you to jump through specific bureaucratic hoops.
