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.
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.
Once a Notice of State Tax Lien is recorded or filed against you, the lien: Becomes public record. Attaches to any California real or personal property you currently own or may acquire in the future. Is effective for at least 10 years (may be extended)
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.
What is a lis pendens? (CCP § 405.21) A lis pendens – also called a notice of pendency of action – is a special type of legal document filed with a county recorder. Though its use is limited to lawsuits involving real property claims, its effect is powerful.
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.
A lis pendens can only be filed if an action is pending. Additionally, the pending suit must involve real property, such as land and buildings. If these requirements are not met, the notice can be expunged.
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.
Lis Pendens typically finds its place in legal disputes involving real estate. These can include divorce, contract disputes and mortgage default. 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.