Release of Lien (Satisfaction)
The document a lender records when a loan is fully paid, releasing the deed-of-trust lien from the property.
A release of lien, sometimes called a satisfaction, is the instrument a lender signs and records once the borrower has paid the loan in full. In Texas it releases the deed-of-trust lien from the public record and clears the title. Recording the release is what removes the lien.
Without a recorded release, an old paid-off lien can remain as a cloud on the title. Texas law sets deadlines and remedies for a lender that fails to record a release after payoff.
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- Mortgage
A security instrument that pledges real property as collateral for a debt. In Texas, lenders use a deed of trust to play this role.
- Deed of Trust
The Texas security instrument that pledges real property for a loan and lets a trustee sell it non-judicially if the borrower defaults.
- Lien
A monetary claim against property that secures payment of a debt. It can be voluntary, like a mortgage, or involuntary, like a tax or judgment lien.
- Encumbrance
Any claim, lien, or restriction on a property that affects its title or use, such as a mortgage, easement, lien, or deed restriction.
This definition is Texas real estate exam-prep education, not legal, tax, or professional advice. Verify current rules against the official source before relying on them for a real transaction. Back to the full glossary.