Need to find out whether someone you’re doing business with or about to enter into a business transaction with has debt problems? Or perhaps you just want to check your name against the New Jersey state database of judgments?
The New Jersey Judiciary website offers a free judgment lien search for judgments docketed in Trenton where the state maintains its central judgment database. Only judgments identified with a “J” or judgment number will appear in this database. Judgments recorded at the local County level do not appear in this database. Click here and type in the “Captcha” code that appears and you will be directed to the following web page where you can enter the relevant data to perform your New Jersey judgment search.
Under New Jersey law a judgment docketed with the Superior Court of Jersey constitutes a statewide lien on any real estate owned by the judgment debtor in New Jersey. Thus, when purchasing real estate in New Jersey it is imperative that the purchaser obtain a judgment search against the seller (and in some instances the seller’s predecessor in title depending on how long the seller has owned the property) to ensure that all liens are removed from the property at closing. For a nominal cost it is recommended that the purchaser use a title company to obtain a certified New Jersey judgment search at the state and county levels.
In addition to representing purchasers and lenders in residential and commercial real estate transactions and foreclosure cases, the NJ law firm of LoFaro & Reiser represents debtors and creditors in commercial business disputes, debt collection and asset recovery, business law litigation, breach of contract claims, Internet law, and other civil disputes in both state and federal courts.