To encumber is to weigh someone or something down with a physical or psychological burden. You may find yourself encumbered by a heavy backpack or with anxieties. Either way, it's a heavy load to bear!

What happens when you are encumbered?

Encumbered assets include any security that can be sold to a new owner while another owner retains some form of legal claim. ... As a result, the lender places a lien on the property that is still there even after it's been purchased by a new owner.

What is the legal definition of encumbered?

An encumbrance is a claim against an asset by an entity that is not the owner. Common types of encumbrances against real property include liens, easements, leases, mortgages, or restrictive covenants. Encumbrances impact the transferability and/or use of subjected properties.