Lien means a charge upon properly, either real or personal, for the payment or discharge of a particular debt or duty in priority to the general debts or duties of the owner. Generally speaking, the word ”lien” is a generic term and includes liens acquired by contract or by operation of law. Liens may arise either under the rules of common law or of equity or under a statute. Liens can also be divided into ”general liens” & ”particular liens,” ”possessory liens” & ”non-possessory liens,” ”present liens” & ”deferred liens,” or ”voluntary liens” & ”involuntary liens.”