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A subordinate lien is a legal claim on your property that ranks behind another lien in priority. If you’re refinancing, taking out a home equity line of credit, or dealing with multiple debts secured by your home, understanding lien position matters more than you think. I’ve watched too many homeowners hit roadblocks during refinancing because they didn’t realize their HELOC needed to be subordinated. Some discovered a second lien they forgot existed. Others got blindsided by IRS tax liens that complicated everything. This isn’t theoretical—it’s the difference between closing your loan on time or watching the deal fall apart. Here’s…

An allonge is a separate piece of paper attached to a negotiable instrument—typically a promissory note or mortgage note—when there’s insufficient space on the original document for additional endorsements (aka assignments to other parties if the note is transferred). For mortgage note holders, understanding an allonge is essential as they directly impact one’s ability to transfer, sell, or enforce said note. The term “allonge” comes from French, meaning “to lengthen,” which perfectly describes its function in the secondary mortgage market. Legal Requirements for Valid Allonges Not every piece of paper attached to a note qualifies as a valid allonge. Courts…