What happens to existing liens on a decedent's property?

When a person passes away, any existing liens on their property do not simply disappear. Instead, these liens must be addressed before the property can be distributed to the heirs. This means that any debts or financial obligations secured by a lien need to be satisfied—typically through payment from the estate—prior to the transfer of the property to the heirs.

This approach ensures that creditors are paid what they're owed before the property is passed down, thereby protecting the financial interests of those who have valid claims against the property. If the debts associated with the liens are not paid, it could affect the heirs' ability to take full ownership of the property, as creditors may have a claim to the proceeds from a sale if the property is ever liquidated.

In essence, the legal process ensures that the deceased's obligations are cleared to provide a clean title of ownership for the heirs, safeguarding their inheritance.