Before you can file this affidavit and protect your homestead, you have to give 30 days notice no the judgment holder as well as its attorney. Prepare an Abstract of Judgment to place a lien on real estate and enforce debt payment with our step-by-step guides.If the defendant in a small claims case was ordered to pay in a money judgment, they are now referred to as the "judgment debtor. A judgment lien is a courtsanctioned claim imposed on a debtor's property when they lose a case and owe money to the plaintiff. To place a judgment lien, you or your attorney file an abstract of judgment (AJ) in any county where the defendant owns nonexempt property. Official website of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). PACER provides information about accessing and filing federal court records electronically. Find resources for using PACER.