How to Remove a Lis Pendens Notice in Texas. You remove a Lis Pendens by filing a Motion to Expunge Lis Pendens in the county where the Lis Pendens was filed.
When a lis pendens is filed, any future transfers of the property are affected by the pending action if it were to be awarded. A lis pendens puts a “cloud” on the title. It doesn't prevent you from selling your home, but it does make the title uncertain, which could affect your ability to sell.
After a Lis Pendens is filed, it becomes part of the public record, warning anyone interested in the property that it is involved in a legal dispute. The property owner may challenge the Lis Pendens in court, seeking to have it removed if it was improperly filed.
How to Remove a Lis Pendens Notice in Texas. You remove a Lis Pendens by filing a Motion to Expunge Lis Pendens in the county where the Lis Pendens was filed.
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 .
A lis pendens may be removed through a motion to expunge. A motion to expunge may be granted if the underlying lawsuit or other court action does not contain a “real property claim” that has probable validity. The motion will be granted it if is “more likely than not” that the underlying lawsuit or claim will fail.
One question buyers often ask is: “How long does a Lis Pendens remain active?” The answer depends entirely on the underlying lawsuit. The notice remains in place until the case is resolved or dismissed.
The party filing a lis pendens or the party's agent or attorney shall sign the lis pendens, which must state: (1) the style and number, if any, of the proceeding; (2) the court in which the proceeding is pending; (3) the names of the parties; (4) the kind of proceeding; and (5) a description of the property affected.
There are several instances in which you might need to file a lis pendens. Common lawsuits that may require or result in lis pendens being recorded include quiet title actions, partition lawsuits, specific performance, and easement disputes.
There is no specific time frame for how long a lis pendens is valid. Rather, a lis pendens is valid until it is expunged or the underlying case is resolved. If not expunged, a lis pendens is often removed as part of a settlement agreement reached between the parties.