What This Statute Says
This section adds a paperwork requirement that has real teeth. For money judgments recorded since the start of 1997, the judgment does not become a lien until a separate information statement with specific details is attached to it.
In addition to the requirements prescribed by section 33-961, any judgment or decree or any renewal that requires the payment of money and that is recorded on or after January 1, 1997, shall not become a lien on real property until a separate information statement is attached to the judgment being recorded.
A.R.S. § 33-967When This Statute Comes Into Play
This requirement controls when:
- A creditor records a money judgment and must attach the information statement for the lien to attach.
- A judgment was recorded without the statement and the creditor records an amendment to perfect the lien.
- A title search questions whether a recorded judgment actually became a valid lien.
What This Means for Arizona Families
This section is good news for property owners and a trap for careless creditors. A money judgment recorded since 1997 simply does not become a lien until the creditor attaches a separate information statement with the required details. A judgment recorded without it does not encumber the land, although the creditor can later record an amendment to fix the gap.
For families reviewing title during a sale or probate, this means a recorded judgment is not always a valid lien. The paperwork has to be complete. Our FAQ on whether creditors can reach inherited property covers the broader picture, and our glossary defines an encumbrance. If a judgment appears against property you own or inherited, an Arizona estate planning attorney can check whether it was perfected correctly.