What type of lien is prioritized over a judgment lien according to property law?

A property tax lien is prioritized over a judgment lien according to property law. This is largely due to the government's interest in collecting taxes, which are essential for funding public services and infrastructure. When a property owner fails to pay property taxes, the government can place a lien on the property, giving them superior rights to be paid over other claims, including judgment liens.

This prioritization is rooted in the public interest and ensures that municipalities can effectively manage their financial obligations. In contrast to judgment liens, which arise from court decisions typically involving disputes between private parties, property tax liens reflect the obligation of property owners to contribute to the community through taxation. Consequently, they hold a first position on the list of liens against a property, demonstrating how crucial tax collection is to local governance.

Other types of liens, such as mortgage liens and mechanics' liens, can be important, but they do not have the same level of priority as property tax liens. Mechanics' liens, for instance, may arise from work done on the property but would still rank lower than property tax liens when it comes to prioritization.