What does a mechanics lien allow an individual to do?

A mechanics lien is a legal claim that allows a contractor, subcontractor, or supplier to secure payment for work performed or materials supplied to improve a property. When a valid mechanics lien is filed, it provides the claimant with a security interest in the property they worked on, ensuring they can collect the money owed to them. This means that if the property owner fails to pay for the services rendered, the individual who filed the mechanics lien has the right to pursue payment through the property itself, which may lead to foreclosure or forced sale of the property to satisfy the debt.

In the context of the other options, gaining ownership through adverse possession involves meeting certain legal criteria over a long period of time and does not relate to a mechanics lien. Transferring ownership rights typically involves a sale or transfer process rather than securing payment for performed work. Cancelling a contract for services is an unrelated legal action that does not provide a mechanism for enforcing payment for previously rendered services or materials used.