Final answer:
A federal estate tax is considered a general lien because it is a claim against the entire estate of a deceased person, not against a specific asset.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question 'Hardluck has various liens against him. Which of the following is a general lien? a) Federal estate tax b) Mortgage c) Property taxes d) Mechanic's liens' involves understanding the difference between specific and general liens in the context of law. A general lien is a legal claim against all of the assets or property of an individual, as opposed to a specific piece of property.
Among the options provided, a) Federal estate tax represents a type of general lien. This is because the federal estate tax is levied against the entire estate of a deceased person rather than a specific asset within the estate. On the other hand, b) Mortgages, c) Property taxes, and d) Mechanic's liens are examples of specific liens, which are secured against a particular item or piece of property.