This information is furnished to you to provide basic information relative to the law governing procedures for civil cases in the Harris County Justice Courts. This guide contains instructions for how to complete the form, turn it in, and prepare for your hearing on exemptions.To place a judgment lien, you or your attorney file an abstract of judgment (AJ) in any county where the defendant owns nonexempt property. For those who were ordered to pay in a money judgment, check out our Debt Collection research guide for resources on your rights as a debtor. There are several requirements for the contents of a petition in a debt claim suit in addition to general pleadings in a justice court suit. A judgment lien can be attached to the debtor's real estate meaning a house, condo, land, or similar kind of property interest. This guide has forms and instructions to file an Answer to a debt lawsuit in Texas Justice Court (also called small claims court). There are many ways to to fight judgments and lawsuits. Once the creditor files an "abstract of judgment" in the county property records, the judgment creates a lien on any real estate you own in the county. After a judgment is entered with the court, a creditor typically files an abstract of judgment with the county clerk.