Two questions classify every lien
How did it arise, and how far does it reach? Voluntary liens come from the owner's agreement; involuntary liens arise by operation of law. Specific liens attach to one parcel; general liens reach the debtor's property generally.
A security deed securing a purchase loan is voluntary and specific. A mechanic's lien or ad valorem tax lien is involuntary and specific. A judgment lien or federal tax lien is involuntary and general. "Voluntary and general" is internally inconsistent: a consensual loan lien is tied to the described property.
Judgment liens in Georgia
A judgment lien arises by operation of law, so it is involuntary, and general because it reaches all of the debtor's property rather than one parcel. It exists well before any foreclosure.
Georgia rule: a judgment becomes dormant and unenforceable when seven years elapse after rendition without execution.
The trap: the debtor defending the lawsuit does not make the lien voluntary. Participating in a case is not consent to a lien.
Priority: first in time, except taxes
The general rule is first in time, first in right, by recording date. Tax liens are the exception: they cover all property in which the taxpayer has any interest and are superior to all other liens, paid before any other debt, lien or claim of any kind.
So where a 2015 HOA declaration, a 2020 first security deed, a later judgment and a county ad valorem tax lien compete, the tax lien is paid first even though it arose last. The HOA lien ranks behind taxes and the first security deed, and Georgia never pays judgment creditors ahead of secured lenders.
Mechanic's lien deadlines
A claim of lien must be filed within 90 days after completion of the work or the last furnishing of material, with a copy to the owner no later than two business days after filing. The lien action must be commenced within 365 days — measured from the filing date, not from completion. The claim expires at 395 days if no notice of commencement of lien action is filed.