# Unencumbered Assets: Overview of Free and Clear Assets

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## What Does Unencumbered Mean?

Unencumbered refers to an asset or property that is [free and clear](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/freeandclear.asp) of a third party's rights, such as creditor claims or liens. An unencumbered asset is much easier to sell or transfer than one with an [encumbrance](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/encumbrance.asp). Examples of common unencumbered assets are houses free from mortgages and other liens, cars with paid-off loans/notes, or stocks purchased in a [cash account](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/cashaccount.asp).

### Key Takeaways

*   Unencumbered refers to assets or property without encumbrances or interests by other parties.
*   Creditors have no interest in unencumbered assets as they are free and clear of debts and liens.
*   Unencumbered assets are often easier to transfer than encumbered assets because only the seller and buyer must approve the transaction.
*   In bankruptcy, the value of liquidated unencumbered assets is distributed to creditors.

## Understanding Unencumbered Assets

Creditors do not have claims to unencumbered assets as there are no associated debts. As a result, these assets are the full property of the person(s) listed as the owner(s) in an official capacity, such as on a title or deed. Unencumbered assets are not listed as [collateral](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/collateral.asp) for any debt and are not subject to competing claims, such as past-due property taxes.

For the majority of consumers, especially young couples and recent graduates, high-value assets, such as real estate and cars, are unlikely to be unencumbered. This is because these purchases are often financed, leading to debt acquisition, with the asset as collateral. Over time, as the mortgage or car loan is paid off, these assets become unencumbered. A [title search](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/titlesearch.asp) is a key part of the due diligence process for a buyer of real estate or a used car to confirm that the asset is unencumbered or has outstanding liens.

## Encumbered vs. Unencumbered Assets

Unencumbered assets are easier to transfer because only the property owner, acting as the seller, and the party interested in purchasing the property, acting as the buyer, must approve the sale. Further, there is no predetermined required sale price, allowing the seller to set the price at their discretion.

Encumbered assets can be sold, but the sale process requires approval by the buyer and seller, as well as any other entity that has a claim to the asset, such as the bank that issued the loan for the collateralized asset. This can lead to minimum sales price requirements, often in an amount equal to or above the [collateralized](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/collateralization.asp) debt amount against the subject property. This allows the debt to be effectively paid off as part of the sales transaction.

## Special Considerations

In most bankruptcy proceedings involving liquidations, encumbered assets are first considered the property of those holding rights to the property through the encumbrance, allowing the institution to recoup some of the losses through the acquisition and a possible later sale of the assets in question.

In some cases, unencumbered assets do not have a predetermined owner if the assets are liquidated in bankruptcy. This allows the value of any liquidated unencumbered assets to be distributed to creditors who extended unsecured credit.

In certain circumstances, the IRS, state, or even local taxing authorities can place a lien on previously unencumbered property to collect past-due taxes.

## Is It Easier to Sell Unencumbered Property?

Yes, since you own the property free and clear, you can set the sale price and sell it to whomever you like.

## What Does It Mean When Property Is Unencumbered?

It simply means that whoever owns the property owns it outright. There are no debts like mortgages or other personal loans on the property.

## What Is an Example of an Unencumbered asset?

An unencumbered asset could be something like a car that you've paid off or a home that you own outright.

## The Bottom Line

Even though you might start by owning an encumbered asset, like a home or a vehicle, you can eventually own it free and clear. Once you've completely repaid the debt, the property becomes unencumbered and you have sole discretion over what to do with it.

> **Article Sources**
>
> 1.  U.S. Department of Justice. “[List of Changes and Updates to the Handbook for Chapter 7 Trustees](https://www.justice.gov/ust/page/file/1442181/download),” Page 3.
>     
> 2.  American Bar Association. “[Buying Assets in Bankruptcy: Has the Second Circuit Taken the Wind Out of Sales Free and Clear?](https://www.americanbar.org/groups/business_law/publications/blt/2016/12/03_darcey/)”
>     
> 3.  Lupica, Lois R. “[Asset Securitization: The Unsecured Creditor’s Perspective](https://digitalcommons.mainelaw.maine.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1057&context=faculty-publications).” _Texas Law Review,_ vol. 76, 1998, pp. 597.
>     
> 4.  Internal Revenue Service. "[Understanding a Federal Tax Lien](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/understanding-a-federal-tax-lien)."