To put a lien on the debtor's personal property: a. File a Notice of Judgment Lien (JL-1) with the California Secretary of State and pay the filing fee.Bring the Abstract of Judgment to the small claims court clerk. The clerk will certify it. In California, if you're the person owed money (the creditor), you can place a judgment lien on the debtor's real estate or personal property. For all other enforcement of judgment actions, i.e. , bank levy, automobile levy, property seizure; use the Claim of Exemption (Enforcement of Judgment) form. This means the creditor, or the person owed money, can place a judgment lien on the debtor's real estate or personal property. Other involuntary judgments, mechanic's liens, etc. If the judgment debtor owns real property, the judgment creditor may place a lien on the property.