Once you have obtained a favorable verdict for a client, whether in state or federal court, and dealt with the post-trial motions, it is time to start thinking about getting your client paid on that money judgment. While each case will require a specific enforcement strategy, almost every plan will include the use of judgment liens.
While there are other liens, this Article will focus on the three post-judgment liens that have the widest reach and greatest applicability: (1) The J-1 or JLPP Secretary of State lien on business personal property; (2) The real property abstract of judgment, or the real property lien; and (3) The secret ORAP (short for “order to appear”) lien on all personal property of the debtor.