Legal Question in Intellectual Property in California

Re: lien on a house

With the exception of a mechanic's lien, there is no way for a private citizen to put a lien on someone else's real estate without (1) the consent of the property owner or (2) obtaining a court judgment.

So, if you lent money but did not obtain a security instrument from the borrower, e.g., a mortgage or deed of trust, your only way to get a lien would be to file a lawsuit and win.

Re: lien on a house

You would need a court judgment to place a lien on the home at issue, since this was a monetary loan and not a mechanic's lien per se. If the monetary loss here is substantial in your opinion, you should retain an attorney ASAP to put things in motion.