Cancellation of lis pendens. Before final judgment, a notice of lis pendens may be cancelled upon order of the court, after proper showing that the notice is for the purpose of molesting the adverse party, or that it is not necessary to protect the rights of the party who caused it to be registered.
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.
Lis Pendens means: Pending lawsuit affecting title to real property. Washington law provides that a Lis Pendens may only be recorded where there is an “action affecting title to real property.” RCW 4.28.
Removing a Lis Pendens in California Other than resolution of the pending lawsuit, the only way to remove a lis pendens is by expungement, which requires a court order from a circuit judge.
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.
Only an attorney or the court can sign a lis pendens. If your attorney filed the lis pendens, then ask her to sign and record a Notice of Withdrawal of Lis Pendens. Give a copy of the title officer. You can record a certified copy of the dismissal of the case and that will extinguish a lis pendens.
Other than resolution of the pending lawsuit, the only way to remove a lis pendens is by expungement, which requires a court order from a circuit judge. If you refuse service or the action is otherwise delayed, the lis pendens remains intact, making it difficult to sell or otherwise transfer a property.
File a request with the court to remove the lis pendens. Provide the legal reasons the lis pendens is improper, offering proof, for example, that the lis pendens affects real estate that is not connected to the litigation. If the lawsuit is frivolous and merely intended to harass the property owner, offer proof.