The doctrine requires more than a mere allegation of a pending suit; it requires proof the prior case is the same, the parties are substantially the same, and the relief requested is the same. This three-pronged identity test must be strictly applied when a party seeks to dismiss a claim under the doctrine.
A “lis pendens notice” is a notice recorded in a real property's chain of title and is designed to enable interested third parties to discover the existence and scope of pending litigation affecting the title to or asserting a mortgage , lien , security interest , or other interest in real property .
Contrary to popular belief a lis pendens does not actually prevent the owner from selling the property. The titleholder can still sell the land and transfer the deed, but most title companies will not provide insurance and closing agents may not close without the lien being bonded.
No notice of lis pendens shall be effective after five years from the date of its filing.
A lis pendens is a common tool used in Florida to put third parties on notice of a pending lawsuit against real estate. If filed properly, a lis pendens protects the plaintiff in a lawsuit from any intervening liens on the property filed after the lis pendens.
A notice of lis pendens must contain the following: a. The names of the parties. b. The date of the institution of the action, the date of the clerk's electronic receipt, or the case number of the action. c. The name of the court in which it is pending. d. A description of the property involved or to be affected. e.
While a lis pendens does not directly affect title to the property, it could affect the disposition of the property later. Knowing what a lis pendens is, how it is filed, when it is used, and how it is expunged are important for knowing your property claim rights.
The term is commonly abbreviated "lis pend." A lis pendens is only lifted once the lawsuit has been settled. Because pending litigation can take months and sometimes years, buyers are often advised to stay clear of these properties.
A lis pendens effectively clouds the title to the property described in the notice and impedes a subsequent sale or encumbrance of the property until the litigation is resolved or the lis pendens is expunged. (Malcom v. Superior Court (Green) (1981) 29 Cal.
Short Answer: After filing a lis pendens, property sales may stall due to legal disputes impacting the title. Misfiling can result in sanctions or slander of title damages. Removal involves court-ordered expungement or voluntary discharge.