Best way to locate debtor's assets to file liens against?

Regrettably, a friend we loaned a substantial amount of money (in excess of 50K) has turned out to be less than honorable.

We now find ourselves with little choice but to take necessary actions to protect/recover what money we can from this loan. We have promisory notes but did not secure them against assets. We live in CO as does our ex-friend (although he and his wife have put his home up for sale).

What are the best resources on the Internet to:

1) help ID/locate available assests of this individual that do not already have liens against them (e.g. home, auto, business, investments, bank accounts, etc). Because this was a friendship loan, we didn't have the smarts to get his SS# (suggestions how how to get it?)

2) to help defray legal costs, what efforts can we do ourselves, from on-line resources and otherwise, to begin this whole process (e.g. necessary forms to file, education on how best to file motions, obtain judgments, etc)

Thx. in advance for any help you can provide.

Best way to locate debtor's assets to file liens against?internet

Since they've put the home up for sale, you need to act fast. Go to the county recorder's office and file a lien against their home, which will come up when the title company starts the escrow proceedings. You may also want to file a lis pendens, although you may have to file a claim in superior court first. I'm in California, so I can't be sure of any of this. It may be worth it to talk to an investigator about how to get all the necessary information on things other than the home. The investigator can tell you if you need an attorney, or can recommend a paralegal who can help you if you file in pro per. But you probably do need to file a lawsuit, because much of the assets involved can only be disclosed by a court order (at least here in California), and that means having a judgment, then an Order to Show Cause. Colorado probably has something similar, but you can't count on the specifics.