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.A judgment lien is a courtsanctioned claim imposed on a debtor's property when they lose a case and owe money to the plaintiff. An abstract of judgment is a document that you record to create a lien on any interest in real property your judgment debtor owns. If your judgment is against a business, you can record a lien with the Secretary of State's office. To do this, fill out a JL-1. A summary of the essential provisions of a money judgment. The ABSTRACT puts a lien on the debtor's real property located in San Diego County. How Do I Collect on a Judgment? In California, judgment liens can be attached to both real property and personal property.