Final answer:
The priority of a lien is generally determined by the date it was recorded with the county, with the first lien recorded holding the highest priority. Tax liens and court orders can sometimes take precedence over this general rule.
Step-by-step explanation:
The priority of a lien is typically determined by the date of recording with the county. This is a principle known as “first in time, first in right,” which means that the first lien to be recorded with the county recorder's office is usually considered to have priority over liens that are recorded later. However, there are exceptions to this rule. For example, certain types of liens, such as tax liens, may have priority regardless of when they are recorded. Another exception may arise from a court order, which can rearrange the priority of liens. The date on the contract itself does not typically determine lien priority unless it coincides with the recording date. A lis pendens is a notice of a pending lawsuit and does not directly determine lien priority but could affect the sale or financing of the property during litigation.