The reason for a Lis Pendens is to alert the world that the house is subject to legal action. 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.
The following parties are entitled to mechanics lien rights in New York: direct contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, equipment lessors, laborers, design professionals, and landscape gardeners who performs labor or furnishes materials for the improvement of real property.
In a case specified in section 6501, the notice of pendency shall be filed in the office of the clerk of any county where property affected is situated, before or after service of summons and at any time prior to judgment.
Pursuant to CPLR 6501, “a notice of pendency may be filed only when 'the judgment demanded would affect the title to, or the possession, use or enjoyment of, real property'” (Delidimitropoulos v Karantinidis, 142 AD3d 1038, 1039, quoting CPLR 6501).
A lis pendens must be filed with both the county recorder and the circuit court clerk. After the action has reached pending status, the lis pendens must be drafted and submitted to the county recorder to be recorded for public record. This does not end this part of the process.
Notice of Pendency / Lis Pendens Filings A Judicial Notice of pendency may be filed at any time before or after service of a summons unless a complaint has already been filed within the Bronx County Clerk's Office, it must be filed with the notice of pendency.
While the CPLR does not state a specific deadline for service of notice of entry, the court may order one. See Court Opinions. In any event, it should be done promptly, to prevent unnecessary delays in the litigation.
A notice of pendency shall be effective for a period of three years from the date of filing. Before expiration of a period or extended period, the court, upon motion of the plaintiff and upon such notice as it may require, for good cause shown, may grant an extension for a like additional period.