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A lien represents a legal right or claim on a property, indicating that a creditor has a legal interest in the debtor's property until an obligation is satisfied. In simpler terms, it is a way for a lender to ensure that they can recover funds owed to them if the borrower defaults on a loan or obligation. This legal claim allows the creditor to potentially take possession of the property if the debt remains unpaid.

In the context of real estate, if someone has a lien against their property, it can affect their ability to sell or refinance that property, as the lien must be resolved—typically through payment—before the property can be transferred to a new owner. This highlights the importance of liens in financial and legal dealings, particularly in real estate and lending.

The other options refer to different legal and financial concepts. A financial settlement typically involves an agreement between parties to resolve a dispute or claim, a court ruling is the decision made by a judge regarding a legal matter, and a type of penalty relates to a punishment imposed for a violation, such as a fine or other legal consequence. Each of these terms serves a distinct function within legal and financial contexts, differentiating them from the specific nature of a lien.