Which lien is placed on a property by operation of law?

The correct choice is the involuntary lien because this type of lien is established by law without the consent of the property owner. Involuntary liens arise as a result of legal proceedings or nonpayment of certain obligations, such as taxes or court judgments. These liens attach to the property automatically and do not require the property owner's agreement, which distinguishes them from voluntary liens, where the property owner consents to the lien, often through a loan agreement.

Involuntary liens serve to protect creditors' rights, ensuring that they can claim the amount owed to them from the property. This ensures that if the property is sold or refinanced, the unpaid debts are settled before the owner receives any proceeds.

Specific and general liens refer to the scope and focus of the claim on the property. A specific lien is attached to a particular property, while a general lien applies to all of a debtor's property. However, neither of these classifications inherently represents a lien that arises purely by operation of law, which solely applies to involuntary liens.

Voluntary liens, as the name implies, are those that a property owner willingly agrees to establish, such as a mortgage. Thus, involuntary liens represent the only liens placed on a property through the legal system without the owner's explicit