In Pennsylvania, a property lien can be used to collect a court judgment. Here's how it works.First, you have to weigh the amount of your judgment against the costs you will incur to place a judgment lien on the property. Filing a lien entails establishing a legal claim against an asset, often a property or a vehicle, which is commonly used as collateral for payment of a debt. Filing a judgment lien on a property can help you collect a debt, but a number of factors can affect the outcome. Read on to find out. 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. 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. To obtain a judgment lien, you must first record the judgment with the court of common pleas in the county where the debtor owns property.