N.Y. Lien Law § 96

§ 96. Contested claims. The master, owner, agent or consignee of the\nvessel, or any person having an interest in the proceeds before final\ndistribution thereof, may contest any claim made against the vessel or\nits proceeds, by filing with such justice a written answer, verified as\na pleading in a court of record, designating the claims contested and\ncontroverting any material allegation of the notice of lien, application\nfor a warrant or statement of lien, and setting up any other matter in\ndefense thereto. A copy of such answer shall be served within five days\nfrom such filing, upon the person whose claim is contested, or his\nattorney.\n If the answer does not contain any matter of defense to the claim, it\nmay be stricken out on motion of any person who has filed a notice of\nlien against the vessel.\n