Lis Pendens In Missouri In Kings
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A lis pendens is an official, public notice that a property has a pending lawsuit or claim attached to it. Lis pendens can only be filed if a claim is related specifically to the property; however, most laws specify that the property owner must assume any litigation associated with it.
The importance of Lis Pendens in real estate cannot be overstated. It safeguards claimants (those asserting a legal right to the property) by preventing sales or transfers that could undermine their claims. For buyers and lenders, it provides transparency, ensuring they have all the facts before making decisions.
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.
To collect on a small claims or municipal judgment, you must apply to the clerk of the court for a writ of execution—an order to seize and sell the judgment debtor's property—then deliver the writ to the sheriff for execution. A Missouri collections attorney can provide details.
Unless sooner released or discharged, the lien shall expire ten years after the certificate of lien was filed, unless within such ten-year period, the certificate of lien has been refiled by the director of revenue with the recorder.
Generally, filing fees for legal documents, including Lis Pendens, are determined by the local government or court where the filing takes place. These fees can range from a relatively low amount to several hundred dollars.
One option for removing a lis pendens in Missouri is resolving the underlying legal matter. Work with an attorney to negotiate with the party that filed the lis pendens notice to have the lawsuit dismissed, reach a settlement agreement or obtain a final judgment from the courts.
Sign the lis pendens document in the presence of a notary. File the lis pendens with the courthouse in the county where the property is located. Serve a notice of the lis pendens on involved parties, such as the property owner, if required.
That means the house is "frozen" or cannot be sold, refinanced, transferred, until the lawsuit is settled, or the case is tried with a final judgment signed by the judge. Then once the case is over, the attorney who placed the Lis Pendens will be required to remove it. Only after that happens can the house be sold.
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.
