Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

I recommend that you invest in, and read, one of those paperback self-help law books on how to prepare, file, try, win and collect your small-claims case in California. Nolo Press is one publisher. Whether you file against one or both owners depends upon whether one or both are at fault for the harm done to you. In case of reasonable doubt, sue both. Once you have a judgment, prepare, file and serve an abstract of judgment; this will give you a lien on the judgment debtor's real property in any county where you record the abstract. Enforcement of your judgment lien by foreclosure is a bit beyond the scope of this bulletin board service, but it can be done.