Autodoc- I see that you're in CA too. We will not accept any partial payments whatsoever once the preliminary lien notice has been sent out up until the items have been sold at auction. My understanding is that by you accepting 1/2 payment prior to the auction, you effectively canceled the lien.

I would start over with the preliminary lien again, I'm not too sure a 10 day notice to vacate is sufficient to then dispose of her stuff if she doesn't respond. Unless maybe you "sold" the stuff to her at the auction, which I suppose you could have done.

Starting over is a huge hassle and delays selling everything for at least 6 weeks, which is why we won't accept partial payments and start over. Both of our lien letters state this very clearly, pay it all in cash, credit or cashier's check or it goes bye bye.