Editor's note: The information in this column is not intended as legal advice but to provide a general understanding of the law. Readers with legal problems, including those whose questions are addressed here, should consult attorneys for advice on their particular circumstances. Q: We had a pool built, and shortly thereafter the pool builder went bankrupt. We paid the pool builder all but the final 5 percent. A subcontractor for the pool builder placed a lien on our house when it did not receive payment from the pool builder. Is the lien valid, and how can we get it removed? A: Whether the lien is valid depends on a number of factors. For starters, liens need to be filed in a timely manner. There's a complicated statutory formula used to determine whether liens have been filed on time, and it is not clear from your question whether the lien in question was filed within the required limits....