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Mechanics Lien Deadlines in Kentucky

In Kentucky, a lien statement must be filed within 6 months after the claimant stops work or furnishing materials, subcontractors must send the owner a notice of intent, and suit to enforce must be brought within 12 months after filing.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Kentucky at a glance

Deadline to record lien
6 months after last work or materials
A copy of the statement must be mailed to the owner within 7 days of filing or the lien is dissolved.
Preliminary notice required
Yes in some cases (notice of intent, subs and suppliers)
Claimants without a direct contract with the owner must notify the owner within 75 days (claims under $1,000) or 120 days (over $1,000) after last furnishing; 75 days on owner-occupied 1 or 2 family homes.
Deadline to enforce lien
12 months after filing the lien statement
An extra 6 months applies if the debtor dies, counted from the personal representative's qualification.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Kentucky

How long does a contractor have to file a mechanics lien in Kentucky?

Deadline to record lien in Kentucky: 6 months after last work or materials. A copy of the statement must be mailed to the owner within 7 days of filing or the lien is dissolved.

Is a preliminary notice required before filing a mechanics lien in Kentucky?

Yes in some cases (notice of intent, subs and suppliers). Preliminary notice required in Kentucky: yes in some cases (notice of intent, subs and suppliers). Claimants without a direct contract with the owner must notify the owner within 75 days (claims under $1,000) or 120 days (over $1,000) after last furnishing; 75 days on owner-occupied 1 or 2 family homes.

How long do you have to foreclose a mechanics lien in Kentucky?

Deadline to enforce lien in Kentucky: 12 months after filing the lien statement. An extra 6 months applies if the debtor dies, counted from the personal representative's qualification.

Where do the Kentucky mechanics lien deadlines come from?

The rules above come from KRS 376.080, KRS 376.010 and KRS 376.090. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

KRS 376.010 was amended effective June 29, 2023 (2023 Ky. Acts ch. 177) on lessee and lessor issues; the notice periods for subcontractors remain 75 and 120 days.

What this means in practice

Deadlines often differ by role. The period for a general contractor who dealt directly with the owner can be different from the period for a subcontractor or supplier, and residential projects can have their own rules. Check which category fits before relying on a single number.

The event that starts the clock matters as much as the length of the period. Depending on the statute, it can be the last day labor or materials were furnished, completion of the project, or the recording of a notice of completion or commencement by the owner. Keeping dated records of the last work performed helps establish the start date.

Recording a lien is not the end of the process. If the debt is not paid, the claimant generally has to file a lawsuit to foreclose the lien within the enforcement period, or the lien expires. When the debt is paid, the owner will usually want a signed lien release recorded so the title is clear.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.