How a Judgment Lien Attaches to Real Estate. In Virginia, a property lien can be used to collect a court judgment.Here's how it works. A recorded judgment doesn't give much information: - Name and address of the creditor,. - Name and address of the debtor,. Any lien on any real estate, consensual or judicial, must appear in the county land records to be effective. In some states a judgment lien is filed automatically, but in others the creditor must file the document after the judgment has been finalized. Learn how the Virginia foreclosure process works, including preforeclosure steps, foreclosure procedures, and homeowner rights. The unit owners' association shall have a lien on each condominium unit for unpaid assessments levied against that condominium unit. To perfect the lien, an association must file it in the clerk's office of the circuit court in the county or city where the HOA is located.