“Can a Hospital Force the Sale of Your Home?”
Medical emergencies can happen to anyone, and when they do, the financial burden can be overwhelming. In Washington State, hospitals may take an additional step to recover unpaid bills by placing a hospital lien on your property. For homeowners, this situation can feel confusing and stressful, especially if you’re planning to sell your home or are already facing financial hardship.
In this post, we’ll explain exactly what a hospital lien is, how it can affect your ability to sell your home in Washington, and what your options are for resolving it. If you’re struggling with this type of lien, know that you’re not alone—and there are solutions available.
What Is a Hospital Lien?
A hospital lien is a legal claim that a hospital places on a patient’s personal injury settlement or real property in order to recover payment for medical services rendered. These liens are typically associated with car accidents or injury cases, but in certain circumstances—especially when insurance coverage is lacking—they can be attached to your real estate, including your home.
In Washington State, hospitals may pursue legal avenues to collect unpaid debts, including:
- Filing a judgment lien against your property
- Placing a medical lien on your personal injury claim
- Garnishing wages or bank accounts
If the debt is significant and remains unpaid, a judgment lien can be recorded with the county recorder, which becomes a public record and attaches to your home.
How Hospital Liens Affect Real Estate in Washington
If a hospital or medical provider places a lien on your home, that lien must be resolved before you can sell or refinance the property. Here’s how it impacts your real estate:
- Clouds the title: Title companies will flag the lien, which can delay or prevent a sale.
- Reduces your net proceeds: Any lien must be paid off at closing before you receive funds.
- Deters traditional buyers: Many buyers (and their lenders) avoid properties with unresolved liens.
- Limits your ability to refinance or take equity from the property.
Even if you’re not actively selling, a hospital lien can sit on your home and accumulate interest—making it harder to deal with in the future.
Hospital Liens vs. Judgment Liens in Washington
It’s important to distinguish between different types of liens. In Washington:
- A hospital lien can sometimes refer to a lien against a personal injury settlement (not real estate).
- A judgment lien is when a creditor, such as a hospital, sues and obtains a court judgment, then records it against your property.
Once recorded, a judgment lien remains attached to your home for 10 years, and can be renewed. If you try to sell or refinance, it must be paid off first.
Can a Hospital Force the Sale of Your Home?
While it’s rare, creditors—including hospitals—can seek foreclosure on a judgment lien in Washington. However, this is typically a last resort. In most cases, the lien simply sits on the property until you sell, refinance, or pay it off.
Still, this doesn’t mean you should ignore the situation. Interest and legal fees can continue to grow, and waiting only makes the problem worse.
Can You Sell a Home With a Hospital Lien in Washington?
Yes, you can sell a home with a hospital lien in Washington—but the lien must be addressed during the sale. This typically means:
- Requesting a payoff amount from the hospital or collections agency
- Negotiating a reduction or settlement if possible
- Paying the lien from the proceeds at closing
However, these steps can complicate a traditional real estate transaction. That’s why many sellers in this situation choose to work with cash home buyers who are experienced in dealing with liens.
How Cash Home Buyers Help With Hospital Liens
Selling your home to a cash buyer in Washington is one of the fastest and most efficient ways to deal with a hospital lien. At REI Branded Home Buyer, we specialize in helping sellers navigate challenging title issues, including medical debt.
Here’s how we make it easier:
- Fast offer within 24 hours
- No repairs or cleaning required
- We handle the lien negotiation and payoff
- No agent fees or commissions
- Close in as little as 7 days
We buy houses across Washington, including Spokane, Kennewick, Pasco, Yakima, and Vancouver, and we know how to work with local title companies and hospitals to ensure a smooth sale.
What If the Hospital Debt Was for a Deceased Relative?
If you’ve inherited a home in Washington and discovered a lien from hospital bills tied to the previous owner, you’re not alone. Medical debt is one of the most common reasons for liens on inherited property.
In these cases, the estate may be responsible for the debt, but the lien still affects your ability to sell. We frequently assist heirs and estate representatives in:
- Clearing liens on inherited homes
- Selling probate properties quickly
- Avoiding drawn-out legal disputes
What Happens at Closing?
If you sell your home with a hospital lien, the title company will ensure the lien is paid off from the proceeds before any funds are disbursed to you. This prevents the lien from following the property into the hands of the new buyer.
At closing, you’ll typically see:
- The total amount owed to the hospital
- Any negotiated reductions or settlements
- The net amount you’ll receive after paying off debts and closing costs
Our team works with title companies across Washington to make sure this process goes smoothly.
How REI Branded Home Buyer Handles Hospital Liens
Here’s what the process looks like when you work with us:
- Free consultation: We review your situation and research your title for liens.
- Cash offer: You receive a fair offer based on your home’s condition and value.
- Lien resolution: We work directly with the hospital or collections agency to verify and settle the lien.
- Closing coordination: The title company ensures everything is handled, and we close on your timeline.
We understand that medical debt can be a private and painful topic. We’ll treat your situation with respect and discretion.
Don’t Let a Hospital Lien Keep You Trapped
If you’re dealing with a hospital lien on your property, it might feel like there’s no way out. But you don’t have to stay stuck. Whether you’re behind on bills, facing collections, or just want to sell and move on, there are solutions that work—especially if you act quickly.
At REI Branded Home Buyer, we provide easy home buyer solutions that are built for situations just like this. We’ll handle the hard parts so you can move forward with peace of mind.
📞 Call 509-769-3439
📧 Email info@reibrandedhomebuyer.com
🌐 Visit reibrandedhomebuyer.com
We offer cash for houses in Washington—even with liens. Reach out today and let us help you take the next step.
Sell Your Washington House Fast Today
About REI Branded Home Buyer
Real People. Real Stories. Real Solutions. We’re George and TJ — two regular guys who teamed up to create REI Branded Home Buyer, a local company with one simple mission: to help people sell their homes without stress, games, or pressure. We actually met at a local real estate meetup. A mutual friend randomly shouted, “Hey George, do you want to be this guy’s mentor?” George laughed and said, “Just give him my cell!” A coffee meeting later, and the rest is history. We've been working together ever since. Our passion for helping homeowners comes from personal experience. George was once homeless, so he deeply understands what it’s like to face housing uncertainty. TJ’s family went through a crisis and had to sell their home fast — with the help of a cash homebuyer. Those experiences shaped who we are and inspired us to create a company that treats people the way we wish we’d been treated. Let’s be real: the real estate world is full of shady companies, pushy salespeople, and sleazy homebuyers who care more about profit than people. We started REI Branded Home Buyer because we believe it should be the other way around — people first, profit second. We’re proud to call Spokane home. Our wives, Jenny and Michelle, love the slower pace of life here and all the outdoor beauty Washington has to offer. George and Jenny have two amazing daughters and two dogs — they love to travel and recently visited Japan to see their daughter abroad. TJ and Michelle are outdoor lovers through and through — backpacking, hiking, hunting, fishing, even rock climbing. Michelle’s become quite the mountaineer! If you’re thinking about selling a house — no matter the reason — we’d love to hear your story and see how we can help.