Bring the Abstract of Judgment to the civil court clerk. The clerk will issue it.Bring the Abstract of Judgment to the small claims court clerk. The clerk will certify it. A judgment lien is a courtsanctioned claim imposed on a debtor's property when they lose a case and owe money to the plaintiff. California laws establish the process for the judgment creditor to begin collecting the money through a judgment lien connected to your real estate. 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). In California, a property lien can be used to collect a court judgment. Here's how it works.