N.Y. Lien Law § 96: Contested claims

§ 96. Contested claims. The master, owner, agent or consignee of the

vessel, or any person having an interest in the proceeds before final

distribution thereof, may contest any claim made against the vessel or

its proceeds, by filing with such justice a written answer, verified as

a pleading in a court of record, designating the claims contested and

controverting any material allegation of the notice of lien, application

for a warrant or statement of lien, and setting up any other matter in

defense thereto. A copy of such answer shall be served within five days

from such filing, upon the person whose claim is contested, or his

attorney.

If the answer does not contain any matter of defense to the claim, it

may be stricken out on motion of any person who has filed a notice of

lien against the vessel.