What is the key distinction between a lien and an easement?

The correct answer highlights that a lien is fundamentally a financial claim on a property, while an easement confers a specific right to use a portion of that property.

A lien arises from a debtor-creditor relationship, where the lienholder has a legal right to make a claim against the property until a debt owed by the property owner is resolved. This can occur in various scenarios, such as mortgage liens or tax liens, effectively limiting the owner's ability to freely sell or transfer the property until the debt is paid.

On the other hand, an easement provides an individual or entity with the legal right to use someone else's property for a specific purpose, such as accessing a road or utility lines running across the property. Easements do not grant ownership but rather a right of use that can be permanent or temporary depending on the type of easement established.

Thus, the distinction lies in the nature of what each represents: a lien is about financial interests and securing debt, while an easement is about the right to use the land of another for designated purposes.