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Legal Charge Document

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LEGAL CHARGE DOCUMENT

This Legal Charge Document is made as of by and between Chargor Name: with primary address at , and Chargee Name: with primary address at (each a "Party" and together the "Parties").

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Chargee has advanced or agreed to advance monies or other value to the Chargor or has extended credit or other financial accommodation to the Chargor for the indebtedness described below (the "Debt");

WHEREAS, the Chargor has agreed to grant a continuing legal charge and security interest in certain property to secure the prompt payment and performance of the Debt and all ancillary obligations and liabilities arising therefrom; and

WHEREAS, the Parties desire to set forth the terms by which the Chargor grants such charge to the Chargee, and the rights and remedies available to the Chargee upon default.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the mutual covenants contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

1. DEFINITIONS

In this Document, unless the context otherwise requires:

"Charged Property" means the property, assets and rights described in Section 2 and in the Collateral Description, and includes proceeds, accessions, replacements and substitutions thereof.

"Debt" means all principal, interest, fees, costs, indemnities and other obligations at any time owing by the Chargor to the Chargee under the underlying loan, advances, or other arrangement specified in this Document.

2. GRANT OF CHARGE

2.1 Charge Granted. The Chargor hereby charges and grants to the Chargee, with full title guarantee where applicable, a continuing first-ranking legal charge, lien and security interest over and in respect of the Charged Property to secure the punctual payment and performance of the Debt and all other obligations at any time owed by the Chargor to the Chargee.

2.2 Extent. The charge created by this Document shall attach to the Charged Property as security for the Debt irrespective of any intermediate payment or settlement and shall be a continuing security until discharged in accordance with Section 9.

3. SECURED OBLIGATIONS

3.1 Secured Amount. The Debt secured by this charge includes the principal sum of together with accrued interest, fees, and other amounts as provided in the underlying loan agreement.

3.2 Interest. Interest shall accrue on overdue amounts at a rate of percent per annum, compounded as permitted by law, until payment in full.

4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

The Chargor represents and warrants to the Chargee that:

(a) it is the lawful owner of the Charged Property free of any other charge, lien or encumbrance except those disclosed in writing to the Chargee; (b) it has full power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Document; and (c) the execution and performance of this Document do not violate any agreement, law or order binding on the Chargor.

5. COVENANTS

The Chargor covenants that, until the Debt has been irrevocably paid and the charge released: (a) it will not create or permit any security interest or encumbrance over the Charged Property other than those disclosed in writing; (b) it will maintain the Charged Property in good condition and repair; (c) it will pay all taxes, assessments and outgoings affecting the Charged Property when due; and (d) it will give the Chargee prompt written notice of any event which materially impairs the Chargor's ability to perform its obligations.

6. REGISTRATION, PERFECTION AND PRIORITY

6.1 Registration. The Chargee shall be entitled to register and file this Document, any financing statement or other notice as necessary to perfect, protect or enforce the Charge. All costs of registration, filing and related expenses shall be payable by the Chargor on demand.

6.2 Priority. Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Parties, this charge shall rank in priority as set forth in any registration or as required by applicable law.

7. EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

7.1 Events of Default. An Event of Default shall occur upon (a) failure to pay any amount when due under the Debt, (b) breach of any representation, warranty or covenant contained in this Document which remains uncured for the period of thirty (30) days after notice, (c) insolvency or bankruptcy of the Chargor, or (d) any material adverse change in the Chargor's financial condition.

7.2 Remedies. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Chargee may, without further notice where permitted, exercise all rights and remedies available at law or in equity, including taking possession of the Charged Property, appointing a receiver, selling the Charged Property by public or private sale, and applying the proceeds toward satisfaction of the Debt. The Chargor shall be liable for all costs of enforcement, including reasonable legal fees and expenses.

8. PRIORITY AND SUBORDINATION

The Parties may, by written agreement executed by both, subordinate or modify the priority of this charge. No such subordination shall release the Chargor from its obligations unless expressly provided in writing by the Chargee.

9. RELEASE AND DISCHARGE

Upon full and final payment and performance of the Debt and related obligations, the Chargee shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Chargor a release or discharge of this charge in form reasonably satisfactory to the Chargor, and shall take such steps as are reasonably required to remove any registration of the charge at the Chargee's cost.

10. NOTICES

Notices shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when delivered personally, sent by nationally recognized overnight courier, or three (3) business days after deposit in certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, to the respective addresses set forth above or to such other address as a Party may designate by notice in accordance with this Section.

11. AMENDMENTS, WAIVER, COUNTERPARTS

No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Document shall be effective unless in writing and signed by both Parties. Failure or delay by a Party to exercise any right shall not constitute a waiver. This Document may be executed in counterparts and by electronic signature, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

12. GOVERNING LAW; SEVERABILITY; ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Document shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction specified below. Any dispute arising under or in connection with this Document shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of that jurisdiction.

If any provision of this Document is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. This Document constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all prior understandings, negotiations and agreements, whether oral or written.

13. MISCELLANEOUS

13.1 Costs. The Chargor shall pay all documented costs and expenses reasonably incurred by the Chargee in connection with the creation, registration, enforcement or discharge of this charge, including reasonable legal fees.

13.2 Assignment. The Chargee may assign or transfer any of its rights under this Document without the consent of the Chargor; the Chargor may not assign its obligations without the prior written consent of the Chargee.

Chargor:

By:

Date:

Chargee:

By:

Date:

Enter text✕

What a Legal Charge Document Is and how it functions

A Legal Charge Document is a written instrument that creates a security interest in property to secure repayment of a debt or performance of an obligation. Typically used by lenders, secured creditors, and statutory lienholders, it identifies the obligor, the secured obligation, and the collateral, and it sets priority relative to other claims. In the United States such documents are recorded with the appropriate county or state registry to perfect the lien and may require notarization or witness execution depending on jurisdictional rules.

Why this document matters for secured transactions

A properly drafted and recorded Legal Charge Document protects creditor rights, establishes lien priority, and creates enforceable remedies on default. It reduces title risk and clarifies obligations between parties while enabling clear public notice through recording.

Why this document matters for secured transactions

Who commonly prepares or signs a Legal Charge Document

The document is used by lenders, title professionals, attorneys, and borrowers in secured financing and real estate contexts.

  • Commercial lenders securing business loans and equipment financing.
  • Mortgage lenders and servicers in residential and commercial real estate transactions.
  • Title companies and recording clerks ensuring public notice and priority.

Proper preparation and recording ensure enforceability and reduce later disputes over priority and collateral rights.

Primary signers and responsible parties

Lender / Creditor

The legal entity providing funds or credit. Responsible for drafting loan terms, specifying collateral, and initiating recording to perfect the security interest; typically coordinates title review and closing requirements.

Borrower / Grantor

The party granting the charge against property. Must sign and, where required, appear before a notary or witnesses; inaccurate identification or inconsistent names may defeat enforceability or trigger re-execution.

Key sections to include in a professional Legal Charge Document

A complete Legal Charge Document is structured to identify parties, describe collateral, state secured obligations, and define remedies, recording, and governing law.

Parties

Full legal names and entity types for grantor(s) and secured party(ies); include EIN or SSN for corporate identification where applicable.

Recitals

Background facts and the agreement’s purpose; concise recitals clarify intent without creating operative obligations.

Collateral Description

Specific, unambiguous description of real or personal property subject to the charge; for real estate include legal description and parcel ID.

Secured Obligations

Define the debts, repayment schedule, contingencies, and events of default that trigger enforcement remedies.

Remedies

Specify foreclosure, repossession, acceleration, and sale procedures consistent with state law and public-record requirements.

Recording & Notices

Instructions for filing with the county recorder, service addresses for notices, and any required acknowledgements or notary language.

Step-by-step: completing a Legal Charge Document

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, execute, and record a Legal Charge Document with minimal delays.

  • 01
    Draft: Prepare terms and collateral description.
  • 02
    Verify Parties: Confirm legal names and authority.
  • 03
    Execution: Sign before required notary or witnesses.
  • 04
    Record: Submit to county recorder for public notice.

Digital workflow settings to map before eSubmission

Configure document fields and authentications to match legal and recording requirements before sending for signatures.

Field Configuration
Party Names Locked text fields; require exact match validation
Legal Description Multi-line required field; set character limit high
Signer Authentication Use email + SMS code or stronger KBA where required
Notary Block Include notary acknowledgment template matching state form

How eSubmission and eSigning typically flow

A streamlined electronic process reduces turnaround while preserving an evidentiary audit trail for later enforcement or recording.

  • Upload: Sender uploads final signed-ready PDF.
  • Place Fields: Add signature, date, and notary fields.
  • Authenticate: Signers verify identity (email/SMS/KBA).
  • Complete: System returns signed copy and audit log.

Delivery format and platform considerations

Choose a platform that supports required file formats, signer authentication, and secure storage for recorded documents.

  • Integrations: Salesforce, Microsoft 365, NetSuite
  • File Formats: PDF, DOCX, HTML, Excel
  • Authentication: Email, SMS code, KBA, 2FA

Ensure the platform retains an immutable audit trail, supports notary or RON workflows where required, and exports ISO‑compatible signed PDFs for recording.

Security and compliance elements to note

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit; AES-256 at rest
Audit Trail: Timestamps, IP, action log retained
HIPAA: BAA required for protected health data
ESIGN / UETA: Legal foundation for e-signature validity
21 CFR Part 11: Controls available for FDA-regulated records
SOC 2 / ISO: Third-party compliance attestations available

Common legal and practical risks to avoid

Recording Defect: May render lien unenforceable
Name Errors: Clouds title and delays enforcement
Insufficient Description: Ambiguous collateral invites dispute
Notary Noncompliance: May invalidate execution proof
Statutory Exceptions: Certain instruments excluded from e-signature
Late Filing: Can subordinate lien priority

Frequent preparation mistakes and how they cause delays

  • Using informal addresses rather than the legal property description often triggers recorder rejection and re-filing.
  • Submitting documents signed by unauthorized signatories creates challenges to enforcement and may require corrective affidavits.
  • Failing to include the required notary or witness block results in non-acceptance by the recorder or later admissibility issues.
  • Mismatched creditor or borrower names between loan documents and public records can require re-execution or court intervention.

Comparison: eSignature platforms and essential plan differences

Select a provider that supports notarization workflows, audit trails, and HIPAA BAAs where needed; summary compares common plan elements.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Representative use cases and outcomes

Real-world examples illustrate typical scenarios where Legal Charge Documents are used and the outcomes of correct execution.

Commercial Loan Closing

A regional bank secures equipment financing

  • accurate collateral descriptions prevent re-filing
  • precise recording preserved lien priority and enabled timely enforcement when needed

Refinance of Real Property

A homeowner refinances using a mortgage-backed charge

  • notary and recording matched county requirements
  • proper execution avoided title issues and closed on schedule

Common questions about preparing and executing a Legal Charge Document

Answers to frequent questions help resolve execution, recording, and enforceability issues encountered during preparation and eSigning.


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