CaseMark Security Agreement (Granting Lien)
Drafts an enforceable security agreement creating a first-priority security interest under UCC Article 9. Ensures collateral descriptions satisfy § 9-108 and support UCC-1 filing.
Prerequisites
Gather before drafting:
- Loan documents — agreement/note/facility with principal, rate, maturity
- Party identification — exact legal names per Secretary of State, entity type, jurisdiction, principal address
- Collateral details — asset descriptions, serial numbers, locations, account numbers
- Corporate authority — organizational documents confirming signatory authority
- Lien search — UCC search results showing prior filings against debtor
Quick Start
- Confirm debtor's exact legal name against Secretary of State records
- Map collateral to UCC Article 9 classifications
- Draft using the 10-section structure below
- Verify collateral description works for both the agreement and UCC-1 financing statement
- Cross-check all defined terms and cross-references for internal consistency
Output Structure
1. Preamble & Parties
- Debtor: exact legal name per SoS records (Inc. vs. Incorporated matters for perfection)
- Secured Party: full legal name, entity type, jurisdiction
- Individual debtors: include last-4 SSN or DL number for filing
- Entity debtors: organizational ID, jurisdiction of organization
- Include principal place of business for each party
2. Recitals
Reference underlying obligation (date, type, principal amount). State voluntary grant, confirm UCC Article 9 governance, establish consideration and intent.
3. Grant of Security Interest
Granting clause: "Debtor hereby grants to Secured Party a continuing security interest in all of the Debtor's right, title, and interest in and to the Collateral described below."
"Obligations" definition must cover: current principal; accrued/future interest, fees, costs, attorneys' fees; modifications, extensions, renewals, refinancings; future advances (if intended — note subordination risk with intervening lienholders).
4. Collateral Description
Must "reasonably identify" collateral per UCC § 9-108. Use UCC classifications plus specific identifiers:
| Collateral Type | Required Detail |
|---|---|
| Equipment | Make, model, serial number, location |
| Inventory | Type, location; state after-acquired if floating lien |
| Accounts receivable | Nature; include proceeds, collections, supporting obligations |
| Investment property | Securities, account numbers, issuing entities |
| General intangibles | IP registrations, contract rights, licenses |
Always include proceeds clause: "All proceeds, products, offspring, rents, profits, accessions, substitutions, and replacements of and to the Collateral, and all insurance proceeds and claims relating thereto."
After-acquired property (if intended): "whether now owned or hereafter acquired by Debtor."
- Avoid "all personal property" unless genuine blanket lien; supplement with specific categories even then
- Description must work for both the agreement and UCC-1 financing statement
5. Representations & Warranties
General: good/marketable title free of liens (except scheduled permitted liens); duly organized, validly existing, in good standing; full authority to grant security interest; no violation of existing agreements/laws; legal name, org ID, jurisdiction accurate.
Collateral-specific: Equipment — condition, operability, compliance. Accounts — genuine, enforceable, no defenses/offsets, bona fide transactions.
6. Covenants
Affirmative: maintain collateral condition; insure (name Secured Party as loss payee); pay taxes; maintain legal existence; deliver periodic financial statements and collateral reports.
Negative: no sale/transfer/encumbrance without consent; no name/structure/jurisdiction changes without notice; no collateral relocation without consent; no action diminishing value.
Tailor to collateral type: inventory → minimum levels + regular reports; equipment → maintenance schedules + usage restrictions.
7. Events of Default
| Default Type | Cure Period |
|---|---|
| Payment default | Immediate |
| Rep/warranty breach | Immediate |
| Covenant breach (technical) | 10–30 days after notice |
| Bankruptcy/insolvency | Immediate |
| Cross-default | Per underlying agreement |
| Material adverse change | Immediate |
| Judgment exceeding threshold | Per negotiated threshold |
| Loss/damage to collateral | Immediate |
8. Remedies
Upon default, Secured Party may: accelerate all obligations; possess collateral by self-help (no breach of peace) or judicial process; dispose at public/private sale (commercially reasonable per UCC Art. 9); collect accounts directly from account debtors.
Application of proceeds: (1) collection/disposition expenses including attorneys' fees → (2) secured obligations → (3) surplus to debtor. Debtor liable for deficiency. Remedies are cumulative.
9. Governing Law & Administrative Provisions
- Governing law (contract): party-selected state law
- Governing law (security interest): UCC as adopted in debtor's location state (governs perfection/priority)
- Jurisdiction: exclusive; debtor consents to personal jurisdiction, waives inconvenient forum
- Include: jury waiver, severability, written-amendments-only, notice provisions, waiver (no waiver by delay), assignment (debtor restricted / Secured Party may assign), entire agreement merger clause, counterparts, further assurances (debtor must execute UCC-1s, amendments, continuations)
10. Execution
| Party Type | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Corporation | Authorized officer with title |
| LLC | Manager or authorized member per operating agreement |
| Partnership | General partner with binding authority |
| Individual | Simple signature; consider spousal signature for marital property |
| Notarization | Required only if collateral includes fixtures or filed in real property records |
Critical Checks
- Debtor legal name matches Secretary of State records exactly — minor variations defeat perfection
- Collateral description matches schedules/exhibits and underlying term sheet
- Description sufficient for both security agreement and UCC-1 filing
- All defined terms, cross-references, and party names internally consistent
- No gaps in debtor name, collateral specifics, or obligation terms
- Terms reconciled against term sheet or commitment letter
- UCC citations verified against applicable state's adopted version