Zlien Partners with Avvo to Bring A Robust Legal Center to the LienPilot3

We just posted about the LienPilot’s brand new look.    Well, including in the overhaul is the addition of a Legal Center.   Every project administered by the LienPilot gets its very own Legal Center, where lien law information applicable to your specific project is displayed.

To make the Legal Center even more productive, we’ve partnered with Avvo.com, the world’s largest legal directory, to provide content from construction law attorneys around your project.   Still can’t find what you’re looking for?   You can ask an attorney from Avvo.com for legal advice…for free!

Take a look:

Chart Specific To Your Project

Aren’t you sick of charts and mechanic lien law digests that show you all the information you could possibly want to know about liens….but nothing about your specific project?   The LienPilot’s legal center solves this problem.  It learns about your project, and displays only the relevant info.   Starting with this chart.

The chart displays the Mechanic Lien Law and Preliminary Notice Requirements relevant to your project in an easy-to-read chart.

Free Forms

Underneath the chart in your project’s legal center are Mechanic Lien, Notice, Release and Lien Waiver forms that are applicable to your project (again, only stuff that applies to your project).    Download them with the click of a button, or don’t – they’ll always be there.

Ask A Lawyer For Free Legal Advice

Our Legal Center is not designed to be a substitute for good legal advice.   The Legal Center is providing you with information about mechanic lien laws in the project’s area, but you may still have some questions.   Well, through our partnership with Avvo.com, you can ask for legal advice from construction attorneys in your state.    The legal advice is absolutely free of charge, and you can ask your legal questions from right within our Legal Center.

Find Construction Attorneys Near Your Project

Is it time to raise the stakes and hire an attorney to collect your debt, or resolve your dispute?    Well, the Legal Center displays to you the Top 10 Construction Attorneys near the construction project. The rankings are provided by Avvo.  The Legal Center helps you hire great construction attorneys who are familiar with the laws and procedures near your project.

Deadline Explanations

The Legal Center also provides you with a list of deadlines calculated for your project, and explanations for each.

There’s More!

There’s even more to our Legal Center – we just couldn’t fit it all here.   Sign up for Free to get a Legal Center for your project, and Lien Smarter.

The LienPilot Has A New Look!

We’ve gutted our LienPilot and completely re-designed it with a new look!    The remodeling makes the service easier to use, and easier for you to find the features you need.   We call it LienPilot3.

No-Nonsense Navigation

We’re building a web application that your business can use to calculate and manage the Mechanic Lien and Preliminary Notice requirements across the United States.   The first order of business should be a navigation system that is productive and intuitive.    Check out #1 in the above-image, and our new Main Navigation Bar.   From any screen you can easily switch from one project to another by selecting it from the drop down, or access system-wide settings and information.   Want to go back to the home screen?  Just click on the LienPilot logo.

Get Help

Every page has these two icons:   The Help Chat and the Help Video.    Click on the video link to see a video tutorial on how to use the features of that particular page.  Click the chat icon to chat with someone from the Zlien team anytime during business hours.  If it’s after business hours, leave a message and someone will get right back to you.

Project Nicknames

Perhaps this was the most requested feature from users.   Sorry it took so long, but we finally delivered.   You can nickname any project by clicking on the “Set a Nickname For This Project” link.   Wherever the project is displayed in the Pilot, this nickname will appear.

Deadline Notification Improvements

Our deadline notifier is already an industry leader, notifying you of upcoming deadlines via email, by allowing you to download the deadlines into your calendar, or by letting you subscribe via RSS Feed.   The new deadline calculator screen makes it easier than ever to read the deadlines, it allows you to dismiss deadlines…and, for the biggest improvement, allows you to order any notice or lien document due with just one-click.

Click on the “Order This Document Now” link, and you’ll be sent straight to the Lien Wizard’s check out after confirming the order information.

In-Project Navigation

Previously, everything about your project was crammed on one page.   We’ve created in-page navigation with tabs, so you can get a clear and clean picture of what’s going on with your project.   Only look at the information you want to see.  Our next blog post will highlight our new Legal Center tab – one of the more robust improvements we’ve launched.

More Improvements Planned…

We’re excited to hear your feedback about the new look. We consider this to be the start of many improvements. We’re currently designing an easier way for you to get help when you need it and we’re also working on a number of performance improvements to make the LienPilot even faster.

Let us know what you think!

Not already using the LienPilot to manage the LienLaws across the country and manage your company’s deadlines and notice requirements? Sign Up Now — It’s Free.

Express Lien Changes Name To Zlien

Express Lien, a leader in mechanics lien management and filing, today announced its new company name, Zlien.

Zlien prepares and files construction notices, mechanics liens and bond claims for those in the construction industry across the nation. Zlien is also a leader in mechanic lien management, offering clients a web-based application that manages mechanic lien and preliminary notice deadlines and requirements.

The new name reflects the company’s unique collection of services, and its position as a leader in filing and managing mechanic liens.

Scott Wolfe Jr., Chief Executive Officer for Zlien explains:

Today’s unveiling of Zlien marks a significant milestone for our company.  The Zlien name embodies our ability and our commitment to continue helping those in the construction industry Lien Smarter.

In conjunction with the name change, the company also announced two new websites beta launching in the next two weeks:

— LienPilot.com is an independent home for our web-based mechanics lien deadline calculator and management software, previously housed within the expresslien.com website.

— MechanicLien.com is an independent home for our huge (and growing) database of mechanic lien laws, forms and digests. Not only does this site provide users a wealth of mechanic lien law information free, but it’s also extremely easy to navigate and use.

Wolfe Jr. further explains:

The Express Lien name worked great when we started this company in 2006 – because we exclusively filed mechanics liens.  Today, we file mechanics liens, preliminary notices, bond claims and all types of documents for contractors and suppliers across the nation, and we also lead the industry in providing lien law information, and provide a premiere web-based lien management software that calculates mechanic lien deadlines and requirements. Our new name reflects these product advancements, and gives us room to grow more.

Effective immediately, all future business activity will be conducted under the new name. Beginning today, our website may be accessed at the new (http://www.zlienit.com) and the old domain (http://www.expresslien.com) during the transition period. There has been no change in the company’s management or ownership.

About Zlien (formerly Express Lien)

Zlien services help the construction industry Lien Smarter…and Get Paid. Zlien prepares and files mechanics liens, notices to owner, bond claims and other documents on construction projects across the nation. Zlien also offers a web-based mechanic lien deadline calculator and management application, the Lien Pilot.

Video Demo: Calculate Mechanic Lien Deadlines

The Lien Pilot’s Deadline Calculator is an industry leading mechanic lien and preliminary notice management tool.

Your company gives our system the “trigger dates,” and our system will calculate your preliminary notice and lien deadlines for your project’s state.  You’re notified of pending deadlines through your web login, by exporting the deadlines to your Outlook or iCal desktop calendar, via RSS or through email.

When it’s time to file or deliver your document, you can do it yourself or pay a low flat fee to zlien to take care of it for your company.

Use us or not…the Lien Pilot’s lien and notice deadline calculator is always free to use. Let us help your company Lien Smarter…and Get Paid.   Here is a video to demonstrate how it works.

What Happens After You File A Mechanics Lien

So, you fulfilled all of your notice requirements and you filed your mechanics lien on time.  The other party still hasn’t made payment, and you begin to wonder…now what?

Why Mechanics Liens Work

First, before discussing what happens after the lien is filed, let me first address why mechanics liens are effective ways to collect on non-paying projects.

This is an important point when discussing what happens after a mechanics lien is filed because it touches on why mechanics liens sometimes prompt payment without any further action after the filing itself.

Mechanics Liens are effective for the following reasons:

- Without a mechanics lien, you can only sue the party you contracted with.  With a lien, you can sue the property owner, those up the contracting chain from you, and the surety bonding the project.

- A mechanics lien can prevent a property from being sold, transferred or refinanced

- Without a mechanics lien, you have no security when you file suit on your breach of contract claim.  With a lien, your claim has the property has security.

This is a perfect storm of aggravation to the project and the parties working on the project, that frequently results in getting you paid without any action beyond filing the lien.   See how it worked on the MGM Project in Vegas here.

What Happens Next?

But what happens if your mechanics lien does not produce immediate payment?  See article on this topic here.

Most states require the lien be “enforced” or “foreclosed.”   This typically means that you bring a lawsuit against the person you contracted with and/or the other relevant parties (property owner, prime contractor, surety, etc.).    In most circumstances, the lien stays on the books while your action is pending, and if you win…you have the security of the property to ensure you get paid.

It is very important to recognize that you only have so long to enforce or foreclose on your lien.   If you fail to do this within the specified time frame…your mechanics lien will expire completely.

The time you have to enforce or foreclose on a mechanics lien varies depending on the state where the project is located.   We have Construction Lien Law Summaries, and specifically the time period to enforce mechanics liens from each state, available on our State-By-State Lien Law Summaries and Forms Page.

And don’t forget about Zlien’s Lien Pilot, which calculates your project’s deadlines for you (including your deadline to foreclose / enforce a mechanics lien).

What Happens When My Lien Expires?

Well, this is a pretty sensitive subject.   You can always bring your lawsuit against the party in your contract (if you are within the statute of limitations for your state).

But with respect to the mechanic lien’s viability, Kelly Davis has a great article published on her blog on this issue:   Didn’t Foreclose on your Mechanics Lien?  What Should You Do Now?

Our Lien Pilot Looks Great On The iPad

Combining the iPad and Express Lien’s proprietary Lien Pilot provides your company the perfect lien management solution that can be used in the office, at home or while on a job site. We picked up our own iPad this week, and after testing out the site we’re happy to report that it looked great on the iPad’s Safari browser.

Keep an eye out for a number of updates to our service in the next two weeks, including improved iPad and iPhone comparability.

Get Results With A Construction Lien

Possible Consequences of A Construction Lien

Most, if not all, property owners are unaware of the consequences of having a lien filed upon their property.  Say they pay the prime contractor they hired in full and the contractor fails to pay those he has hired independently- the owner could still owe money to those workers even after paying the prime contractor.

How is that obligation enforced?   Well, a number of possible ways.

If a lien is filed on a particular property and/or parcel number and the property is later sold, for example, money received in the sale could actually be tied up and placed in escrow because of a mechanics lien filing.   Here are some other possible consequences of a mechanic’s lien:

- Sale can be forced on the property in order to pay for the debt (called a foreclosure of mechanics lien)
- Payment owed to contractor can be increased by attorneys fees and penalties
- Inability to borrow against the property or refinance
- Flag on the title of the property

Of course, each state is different in how mechanics liens are filed and treated.   It’s important to consult with an attorney and the laws of your state to get a full grip on how the mechanic’s lien process can help you.

What’s Key to Filing a Mechanics Lien?

On a Construction Project… deadlines are everything. This is especially true when it comes to your companies right to file mechanics liens.

Is a preliminary notice due? How long do you have to file a lien? When must a lien be foreclosed?

Let us introduce to you an industry leading web-based lien document and deadline management solution: The Lien Pilot.

Our system is easy-to-use…and absolutely free. Track and control your project data, important lien and notice deadlines, project contacts and more. Here are a few features of our proprietary Lien Pilot:

- Automatically calculate lien deadlines, preliminary notice deadlines, and even create custom deadlines
- Get RSS Feed reminders when deadlines are due
- Manage project contacts, job-site data, legal property descriptions and more
- Manage lien documents
- Easy access to an Express Lien Wizard who (for a flat fee) can prepare and file liens, notices, cancellations and more

Learn more about how our Lien Management software works on the “How Express Lien Works” page.

Now Sending Emails in Text or HTML – You Choose

After updating our system back in November, we heard from many users that the system generated HTML emails were not getting to their inbox clearly, and users requested the ability to receive emails with text formatting.

Well, we went to work and now all users have the choice of receiving emails in Text or HTML.    By default, users are set to receive HTML emails.   Changing this setting is easy.

First, Log into the Lien Pilot.   On the welcome screen you should see your profile information in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.   Next to your Profile information is the “Update” link.    You will click on this link to update your profile settings.

Take a look at this screenshot of the welcome screen upon login:

Second, you’ll simply scroll down to the bottom of the page.  You should see text that says “I want to receive HTML emails” and a checkbox.   If you want to receive emails in regular text formatting, just uncheck this checkbox and press “Save.”   Here is a screen shot of this:

Use Express Lien To Stay Organized in 2010

Thanks to our friends over at Wolfe Law Group’s Construction Law Monitor for their blog post yesterday recommending the Express Lien Lien Pilot to contractors looking to get organized in the new year.   Organization: A Secret to Managing Legal Messes discussed how good organization tools (and specifically web-based tools) can help contractors and others in the legal industry to avoid legal disputes and expensive legal bills.

In discussing how organization can help an organization with its legal obligations, the post says:

And insofar as your contractual and legal duties are concerned, if you’re organized and know what they are, you’ll have a much better chance of fulfilling them.

This is exactly what the Lien Pilot can do for your business.

Notice and lien requirements are hyper-technical and confusing.  If your company is handling multiple construction projects, or working in multiple states, it’s nearly impossible to keep track of notice and lien requirements.    Some clients reported that they used to keep track of lien and notice deadlines by inputted all due dates in Outlook – which, of course, required them to manually calculate the dates.

Express Lien provides contractors with an easier way.  You simply input your project’s details, and Express Lien calculates all of the project’s notice and lien requirements and deadlines.

In 2010, make a resolution to increase your bottom line and utilize the nation’s lien laws to protect your right to payment on construction projects.   Resolute your company to Lien Smarter in the new year, and sign up for a free account with Express Lien.

Step-By-Step Guide on Using Lien Pilot to Manage Lien and NTO Deadlines

Do you manually input all notice and lien deadlines into Outlook or some other calendaring system? Are you constantly trying to figure out which deadlines or requirements apply to your construction project?  Express Lien’s lien pilot helps you manage the lien and notice requirements applicable to your construction project.

It’s easy. You input your project information, and it alerts you to what is due, and when.

This video is a screen-cast of the Lien Pilot system that shows you how to use our system (free) to Lien Smarter, and Get Paid.