Filing deadline

Claim of Lien recorded with the county register of deeds within 90 days after the claimant's last furnishing of labor or material; strictly enforced (90 means exactly 90 days) and warranty work does not restart the clock. The claim must substantially follow the statutory form (first/last furnishing dates, legal description, contract amount, payments, balance) with proof of service of the Notice of Furnishing attached for non-direct claimants.

Notice prerequisites

Owner/lessee must record (and post on site) a Notice of Commencement before physical work starts, identifying the property, owner, designee and GC. Subcontractors and suppliers without a direct owner contract must serve a Notice of Furnishing on the designee and GC within 20 days of first furnishing (in person or certified mail). A late Notice of Furnishing does not kill the lien but reduces it by amounts the owner paid in reliance on sworn statements/waivers before receiving it; if no Notice of Commencement was ever recorded, the Notice of Furnishing window stays open (20 days after the notice is actually supplied, 30 for laborers).

Service on the owner

Within 15 days after recording, a copy of the Claim of Lien plus proofs of service must be served on the owner's designee (or owner/lessee) personally or by certified mail RRR at the Notice of Commencement address; service follows recording. Owners may then demand a written status statement, due in 10 days on pain of damages and suspension of payment obligations.

Enforcement

Foreclosure complaint in circuit court where the property lies within 1 year of recording the lien; all interested parties joined, a sworn statement served on the owner, and a Notice of Lis Pendens recorded at or shortly after filing (effective 3 years, extendable 3 more). After the year runs, any interested person can obtain an administrative certificate from the county clerk voiding the lien; suits on a bond that discharged a lien get the 6-year contract limitations period.

Michigan Construction Lien Act, MCL 570.1101 et seq. (esp. 570.1107-1111, 1114-1119, 1126-1128); Builders Trust Fund Act, MCL 570.151 et seq.