I hired a contractor to complete a basement apartment for my mother inlaw. I paid a deposit of $5000 and three more payments of approx. $18000 and the work was never completed. The contractor just did not show up or call or email. After several days he emailed and said he would be back to finish and even met with me to make a plan to finish but failed to live up to the plan. The contractor agreed to reduce the bill for all the work I had completed myself but gave no refund and did not complete the work. His excuse was his wife left him and he lost his house. He is now trying to sell it privately and wants a quick closing to leave town.

Small Claims Court -

... his wife left him and he lost his house. He is now trying to sell it privately and wants a quick closing to leave town.

Whether he has lost his house or is trying to sell it, in either case, if filing a lien against the house is what you were thinking,

No. You can't.

You have to sue him, but questions.

If he a incorporated, or a individual business.

Did he have a professional license, was he insured.

Was the contract in writing.

Did you have a professonal come in and document the cost of completion of the work he did not do.
Did you photo and document what was not done.

You can sue him for the cost to finish the work he did not do that you paid him for