It shows up on your credit report as well as on any background checks. The judgment is considered a lien against your property, including any real estate that you have, in the state in which the judgment is filed.
An example of a general lien is a state income tax lien. Unlike specific liens that attach only to particular assets, a general lien is against all of the assets of a debtor and not tied to a specific asset. For instance, A mortgage lien is tied specifically to a piece of property.
Generally, to file a judgment lien, an abstract of judgment must be issued by the justice court. Some justice courts have a form available on their website to request an abstract of judgment.
If your local courts do not have an online record search system or if only some of them do, you can try calling your court and asking the clerks there to check their records for a judgment (or active case) naming you as a defendant.
Most judgment liens last for 10 years and can be renewed for another 10 years. For example, the creditor could place a judgment lien on your home which would inhibit you from selling the property without first paying the creditor what you owe.
A judgment lien is considered a nonconsensual lien because it is attached to a piece of property without the owner's consent or agreement.
A judgment lien is a “debt-repayment security for one or more creditors when a court order places a claim on a debtor's property situated within the court's jurisdiction.” (Black's Law Dictionary, 11th ed.) The resources listed below are not exhaustive and may not include the most up-to-date information.
And a homeowner may find it difficult to sell any property that has a lien against it. Prospective buyers may avoid a property to which someone else has a claim.
The judgment lien is not going to impact a homesteaded property so the mortgage lender would be able to obtain a first lien on your property. So, as long as you otherwise qualify for a mortgage, the judgment lien should not be a problem.