When does a judgment become a lien against land?

A judgment becomes a lien against land as soon as the judgment is docketed. The process of docketing a judgment involves the court recording the judgment officially, which gives it legal effect. This recorded judgment attaches to the debtor's real property, creating a lien that can affect the property owner's ability to sell or refinance the property.

This setup serves to protect the creditor's interests, as it ensures that any potential buyers or lenders are made aware of the creditor's claim against the property. Once docketed, the lien holds priority against subsequent claims and can persist until it is satisfied or removed, hence creating a sense of urgency for the property owner to address the judgment to avoid complications regarding the property.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately depict the point at which a judgment becomes a lien. For instance, the judgment does not become a lien simply by starting the court case, nor does it depend on the sale of the land or the public posting of the judgment, which would not confer the same level of priority or legal standing as docketing.