In order to sell my inlaws house I had to incurr a lot of expenses to bring it up to code as well as pay for an exterior paint job. Can I put a lien on the house to recoup my expenses, so that after the mortgage is paid, I will be reimbursed before the balance of the proceeds go to the state to put them into assisted living.

You can put a "mechanic's lien" on the house but you have to follow that up with a law suit to enforce the lien.