You can put a lien on that property so that if they ever sell or refinance the property you might get paid. To do this, you first need an Abstract of Judgment.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. A simple rule of thumb is to record a lien in the county where the judgment debtor resides or does business. The judgment creditor or its counsel must complete form Cal. Jud. A judgment lien gives a creditor the right to receive a certain amount of money from the proceeds of the sale of a debtor's property. California laws establish the process for the judgment creditor to begin collecting the money through a judgment lien connected to your real estate. A judgment in a civil action shall create a lien on all real property of a judgment debtor on filing a certified copy of the abstract of the judgment. After recording, you have a judgment lien on any real estate held in the judgment debtor's name in that county.