Lien Payoff Calculator
Calculate the current payoff on a lien — principal plus accrued daily interest and fees — with a per-diem figure for any date.
How it works
Per-diem = principal × rate ÷ 365 · Accrued interest = per-diem × days · Payoff = principal + accrued interest + fees
A lien payoff (or "payoff quote") is the exact amount needed to fully release a lien on a given date — the outstanding principal, interest that has accrued since the last statement, and any release, recording or administrative fees. Because interest keeps accruing daily, payoff statements quote a per-diem amount so the figure can be adjusted for the actual settlement date, which is why a quote good through one day differs from the next.
Worked example
On an $18,000 lien at 7.5%, the per-diem is 18,000 × 0.075 ÷ 365 = $3.70. Over 45 days that is $166.50 of interest; adding $350 in fees gives a payoff of about $18,516.50.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the payoff exceed my balance?
The balance on your last statement does not include interest that has accrued since, or the fees to release and record the lien. The payoff quote captures all of it as of a specific date.
What is the per-diem for?
It is the daily interest amount, used to update the payoff for the exact date funds arrive. Multiply it by the number of extra days beyond the quote date and add it to the total.
What fees are typically included?
Common items are a lien-release or reconveyance fee, county recording costs, and sometimes a wire or processing charge. Ask the lienholder for an itemized payoff statement.
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Educational estimate only — not legal, tax or financial advice. Actual settlements, awards and payoffs depend on the facts, jurisdiction and negotiation. Consult a licensed attorney.