After how many years from the maturity date does a mortgage or deed of trust no longer act as a lien?

The correct answer, indicating a 30-year period, is based on the statutory framework governing real property in many jurisdictions. In general, a mortgage or deed of trust is considered to be a lien on the property for a certain duration following the maturity date. After this period, if the lien has not been enforced or re-recorded, it typically becomes unenforceable, meaning that it no longer acts as a claim against the property.

In Texas, for instance, a lien created by a mortgage or deed of trust experiences a limitation period of 30 years. This rule means that if the borrower does not default and the lienholder (lender) does not take any action to collect the debt (such as foreclosure), the lien may expire after 30 years. This serves to protect property owners from indefinite encumbrances as long as they uphold their payment obligations and maintain good standing.

Conversely, the specified periods in the other options—20 years, 40 years, and 50 years—do not align with the established norms in most jurisdictions for the expiration of a mortgage or deed of trust lien. Understanding these time limits is crucial for practitioners in real estate and title insurance, as it affects both the rights of property owners and the enforceability