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. An abstract of judgment is a document that you record to create a lien on any interest in real property your judgment debtor owns. When recorded, it creates a general lien on real property of the judgment debtor in the county in which the abstract is recorded. Grantor: Debtor or Defendant Request that he or she sign a Release-of-Lien, in front of a notary public. These forms are available from your attorney, the county clerk and online. To do this, fill out an EJ-001 Abstract of Judgment form and take it to the clerk's office. To attach the lien to real estate, the creditor either takes or mails an Abstract of Judgment to a county recorder's office where the property is owned.