The precise time at which a judgment lien attaches to property or becomes operative
depends upon the kind of action and the jurisdiction in which the judgment is
entered. Generally, a judgment may attach from the:
- Date of the filing of the lis pendens for actions affecting title to real
property.
- For judgments a lien is created at time it is docketed by the Clerk of
the Circuit Court and remains a lien for 10 years thereafter. SDC 15-16-7
& 15-16-28
- Notices of Tax Lien are recorded with the Register of Deeds and become a lien from the time of indexing. SDC 10-43-87, 10-58-11.