Depending on the circumstances, especially how quickly your lien is put in place, the property may not legally be sold before you are paid. It depends largely on the complexity of the case and the amount of money or property involved. Simple cases, such as trying to collect from someone who owes money based on an invoice for the sale of goods or services, can proceed fairly quickly to a judgment or settlement, unless a defense such as defective goods is interposed. Complicated cases such as construction disputes involving large sums will often be defended more vigorously, and necessarily take much longer. Although many cases are settled shortly after the plaintiff sues, many others take several years to be resolved, and some last five years or longer, involving extensive discovery, motions for summary judgment, appeals and trials.
Most cases going to trial involve personal injuries.
Cases settle because parties and their lawyers eventually take a reasonable look at all the relevant facts, good and bad, weigh the risks of success or failure at trial, and often work out problems that caused the dispute in the first instance. Trials can last a few days or a few months and may be decided by a jury or a judge, depending on the parties' preference and the type of case. ADR offers alternatives to litigation in court, with the goal of simplifying, shortening and lessening the expense of civil litigation. ADR primarily includes arbitration and mediation. The parties can and usually do agree to be legally bound by the decision.