Lis pendens are used most often in cases of divorce and foreclosure. For example, if a divorcing couple cannot agree on how to divide their interest in the marital home, one spouse may file a lis pendens in order to keep the other spouse from trying to sell the house until the divorce is settled.
Therefore, a notice of pendency effectively freezes the status of the involved property, protecting it from being sold or pledged before the action is resolved. Rules regarding notice of pendency vary by state and each state's civil procedure rules .
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.
No notice of lis pendens shall be effective after five years from the date of its filing.
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.
In United States law, a lis pendens (Latin for 'suit pending' ) is a written notice that a lawsuit has been filed concerning real estate, involving either the title to the property or a claimed ownership interest in 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.
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.
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.
Expunging a Lis Pendens This can happen if the party believes that the lis pendens was improperly filed or if the underlying lawsuit has been resolved. Court Hearing: If a party seeks expungement, the court will conduct a hearing to determine whether the lis pendens should be canceled.