71-3-542. Priority of construction liens as against claims other than construction lien claims. (1) A construction lien arising under this part has priority over any other interest, lien, mortgage, or encumbrance that may attach to the building, structure, or improvement or on the real property on which the building, structure, or improvement is located and which is filed after the construction lien attaches.
     (2) An interest, lien, mortgage, or encumbrance that is filed before the construction lien attaches has priority over a construction lien arising under this part, except as provided in subsections (3) and (4).
     (3) A construction lien has priority, to the extent of the value of the work or improvement that is severable, over an interest, lien, mortgage, or encumbrance that is filed before the construction lien attaches. If the work or improvement may be removed without harm to the rest of the real property, the lienholder may have the value determined, the work or improvement sold separately on foreclosure, and the proceeds delivered to him to satisfy the construction lien.
     (4) A construction lien has priority over any interest, lien, mortgage, or encumbrance that is filed before the construction lien attaches if that interest, lien, mortgage, or encumbrance was taken to secure advances made for the purpose of paying for the particular real estate improvement being liened.

     History: En. Sec. 12, Ch. 202, L. 1987.