A judgment in a civil lawsuit will generally create a lien on the judgment debtor’s real property when notice of the judgment is filed with the county clerk in the county records where the judgment debtor owns real property. This public filing (often called an abstract of judgment) effectively puts all future purchasers and lenders on notice of the judgment creditor’s claim to the judgment debtor’s real property—to the extent necessary to pay/satisfy the judgment.
In Texas, when a judgment is obtained in a civil lawsuit, it can create a lien on the judgment debtor's real property. This occurs when an abstract of judgment, which is a summary of the court's decision, is filed with the county clerk in the county where the debtor owns real property. The filing of the abstract of judgment in the public records serves as notice to any potential future purchasers or lenders that the judgment creditor has a claim on the property. This lien remains attached to the debtor's property until the judgment is paid or satisfied. The lien gives the judgment creditor the right to seek foreclosure on the property if the judgment is not paid, subject to certain exemptions and procedures under Texas law.
