What constitutes a lien creditor?

A lien creditor is defined as a creditor who has acquired rights in or against a debtor's property through a judicial process, such as a judgment. This means that the creditor has taken legal steps to obtain a lien on the debtor's property, which may allow them to satisfy a debt by seizing or selling that property.

In the context of secured transactions, a lien creditor's rights typically come into play when determining priority among creditors. When a lien is established through judicial means, it places the lien creditor in a position to enforce their claim against the debtor's assets.

The other options do not fit the definition of a lien creditor. For example, acquiring rights through a gift does not involve a claim against the debtor's property through judicial means. Likewise, having an unsecured interest does not entail the same rights and protections that a lien gives to a creditor. Lastly, a creditor with a prior security interest has rights based on a different premise altogether, as they have established their claim through a security agreement rather than through judicial actions. Thus, the best definition aligning with the term "lien creditor" is one who has acquired rights through a judicial process.