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. If your judgment is against a business, you can record a lien with the Secretary of State's office.To do this, fill out a JL-1. It describes the details of the judgment. The personal property being released in Item 7. (California Code of Civil Procedure section 697.650.) Item 6. LBR 4003-2 provides the procedure for a party to file a motion to avoid a lien when the judgment lien is on personal property. The judgment lien will remain attached to your personal property for up to 10 years, even if ownership of the property is transferred to someone else. This acts as an automatic lien on the property and the property normally cannot be transferred without paying off the lien.