What is a voluntary act that can lead to the creation of a lien?

The creation of a lien typically involves a formal agreement or action by a property owner that allows a creditor to secure a legal claim against their property. Signing a mortgage agreement is a clear example of a voluntary act leading to the creation of a lien. When an individual signs a mortgage, they are agreeing to borrow money to purchase a property and, in doing so, they grant the lender a lien on the property. This means if the borrower defaults on the mortgage payments, the lender has the legal right to pursue foreclosure to recover the loan amount through the property's value.

In contrast, the other scenarios mentioned involve circumstances that do not require the owner's consent to create a lien. Failure to pay property taxes often leads to a tax lien imposed by the government, which is an involuntary lien. Inheriting property with debts does not create a voluntary act but rather an obligation that comes with the inheritance. Finally, defaulting on a personal loan could lead to a judgment lien, but similar to tax liens, it does not stem from a voluntary agreement with a creditor. Thus, signing a mortgage agreement stands out as the only voluntary action that directly results in a lien being created on the property.