Take the Abstract of Judgment and a copy to the county recorder's office in the county where you think the debtor owns real estate. There is a recording fee.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. 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. Find information about the property document recording process including important paperwork and essential forms. 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. Putting a lien on real estate gives a judgment creditor the right to be paid from the proceeds of a sale of the debtor's real property. To attach the judgment lien, the creditor delivers the judgment to the county recorder's office for the county in which your property is located.