Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

If they were not made a party to the proceeding, they are not bound by the judgment. I would have to see the judgment and the HOA governing documents before I could render an opinion as to whether recording it cut off their lien rights.

If the property is in your name, you are going to be responsible for HOA assessments. I fail to see how a bill that arises after your marriage ended, that you incur on property that you claim to be yours, is his bill despite what you claim the divorce decree says. If you do not pay the assessments, the HOA can lien and sell your property, and your divorce decree is not a defense. At best, you would have to go after him for reimbursement, if the assessments were for matters that occurred during his ownership, and during the marriage, if that is what the divorce decree actually states.

Liens, whether HOA or otherwise, follow the property. You either pay them off, negotiate them down if possible, or possibly lose it to foreclosure. The divorce decree doesn't change that, it only gives you grounds to sue the ex for reimbursement if you think it is practical to do so