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. Complete the Abstract of Judgment Form.To put a judgment lien against real property, you must complete: Abstract of Judgment, Civil and Small Claims (EJ-001). To record a real property lien, the creditor must complete an Abstract of Judgment, and submit it to the court. 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. California laws establish the process for the judgment creditor to begin collecting the money through a judgment lien connected to your real estate. In California, a judgment lien can attach to multiple types of property, including real estate (e.g. This acts as an automatic lien on the property and the property normally cannot be transferred without paying off the lien. In California, a judgment lien can only attach to real property.