The suit or proceeding must be pending before a competent court of jurisdiction. A right to immovable property is directly or specifically involved in the suit. The suit or proceeding must not be collusive. The property in dispute must be transferred or otherwise dealt with by any party to suit.
To file a lis pendens, the party filing must have or show one of two things: That there is a recorded instrument, usually some mortgage or encumbrance, or perhaps something related to a construction mechanics lien—that potentially provides the filer the right to the property on or in the document.
As an example, consider a divorce case where one spouse may file a lis pendens to block the other from selling the property before its division is settled by the court. They undertake this step to ensure that the property, which is a significant asset, remains intact.
Create a document to serve as the notice Use a title that clearly identifies the document as a Notice of Lis Pendens. Include all of the required information in the document, such as a legal description of the property, the names of the parties involved, and a statement of the claim.
(2) A notice of lis pendens is not effectual for any purpose beyond 1 year from the commencement of the action and will expire at that time, unless the relief sought is disclosed by the pending pleading to be founded on a duly recorded instrument or on a lien claimed under part I of chapter 713 against the property ...
The titleholder can sell a property and transfer the deed to someone else while subject to a lis pendens. However, most title companies will not provide insurance for homes with a lis pendens, and closing agents may close with the lien being bonded.
What Does Lis Pendens Mean? Lis pendens is a Latin term that literally means “lawsuit pending.” In a modern context, it is a notice filed against real estate that is under the control of the courts because of a pending lawsuit. It is often referred to as a “cloud on title”.
To file a lis pendens, the party filing must have or show one of two things: That there is a recorded instrument, usually some mortgage or encumbrance, or perhaps something related to a construction mechanics lien—that potentially provides the filer the right to the property on or in the document.
Section 48.23 provides that the notice must contain the names of all of the parties, the name of the court in which the action is instituted, a description of the property involved or affected, a description of the relief sought as to the property, and one of the following: the date of the institution of the action, ...