How do I calculate the amount of my common law lien?
A common law lien secures your interest in property over which you have lawful possession. There are three factors used in calculating the amount of a common law lien.
Equity. This includes the actual principal you have invested in the
purchase of the property. It does not include any interest payments
on loans.
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Improvements. This includes the actual principal you have invested in improvements to the property. It does not include any interest payments on loans.
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Improvements are those things that increase the basic value of the real property. For example, building a garage or installing a tank (small lake) are improvements, as are installing power lines and digging a well. Maintenance and repair are generally not considered to be improvements, because they do not increase the value of the property.
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Life experience. You have lived on the property for some time. You have laughed and cried, worked and played, sweated and strained, in other words, the property owes you. Under common law, that is quantifiable and may be included in the amount of your lien.
I know of no formula for calculating life experience. I use the figure Three Thousand (3,000) dollars a year, which I believe to be very reasonable.
The amount of your lien is determined by adding up the three categories listed above.