How will a short sale be affected by the sale of Real Estate in NY that may have a judgment lien on it?

We do not know if there is a judgment or judgment lien on the home property or not. We received an advertisement from some debt consultant saying that they could help consolidate debts or file bankruptcy and in their mailing they said they noted some kind of judgment with Capital One Bank in some Erie County, NY record. We have never received anything in writing from any court or from any debt collector regarding a judgment lien or judgment placed on the real estate.
So, if there is a judgment or judgment lien, how do we find out?
If the property is sold with a price that only satisfies the mortgage, what happens to the judgment lien or judgment, if there is one?
If the property is sold by short sale below the mortgage price, what happens to the judgment lien or judgment, if there is one?