Free and clear simply means for someone to own property in its entirety without any debt attached to the property. Free and clear usually applies to real estate but can apply to other items like cars or appliances. While having a mortgage, loan, or a lien attached to property, a person does not own the property free and clear, but as soon as all debt is paid or released, the person will be said to own the property free and clear.
[Last updated in August of 2021 by the Wex Definitions Team]