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. There is a small fee for this request. Take the ABSTRACT to the County Recorder's Office, 1600 Pacific Highway, Room 260, San Diego, CA 92102, to record it. An Abstract of Judgment is a judgment lien against real property that the debtor currently owns, or may try to purchase in the future. It generally takes one to two days to complete. You will not obtain a money judgment at this time. To do this, fill out a JL-1. The process to renew a California judgment involves preparing and filing in the court where the judgment was issued an Application For and Renewal of Judgment.