After a creditor wins a lawsuit for unpaid debt, there is a time limit for them to enforce the judgment. Judgments awarded in Texas to a non-government creditor are generally valid for ten years but can be renewed for longer. If a judgment is not renewed, it will become dormant.
To file a Lis Pendens in Texas, the party initiating the lawsuit must follow procedures outlined in the Texas Property Code. This includes submitting a declarative affidavit to the county clerk's office where the property is located. The affidavit must generally contain: Names of the parties involved.
Section 12.0071 of the Texas Property Code contains a specific procedure for expunging (i.e., removing) an invalid lis pendens notice. To trigger the procedure, the property owner must file a motion to expunge the lis pendens in the court where the underlying lawsuit is pending.
A judgment lien lasts for ten years. Generally, to file a judgment lien, an abstract of judgment must be issued by the justice court. Some justice courts have a form available on their website to request an abstract of judgment.
Lis Pendens Texas and Property Code Property Code Section 12.007(a) allows the party seeking relief to file a Lis Pendens during the pendency of an action involving title to real property, the establishment of an interest in real property, or the enforcement of an encumbrance against real property.
Section 12.0071 - Motion to Expunge Lis Pendens (a) A party to an action in connection with which a notice of lis pendens has been filed may: (1) apply to the court to expunge the notice; and (2) file evidence, including declarations, with the motion to expunge the notice.
A lis pendens has no life of its own apart from the lawsuit that underlies it. If there is no lawsuit, there can be no valid lis pendens. “A lis pendens operates only during the pendency of the underlying suit, and only as to those matters that are involved in the suit.
To file a Lis Pendens in Texas, the party initiating the lawsuit must follow procedures outlined in the Texas Property Code. This includes submitting a declarative affidavit to the county clerk's office where the property is located. The affidavit must generally contain: Names of the parties involved.
The Texas Property Code requires that the name of the case and the case number be included in the lis pendens. The code also requires additional information to be included like: the court in which the proceeding is pending, the names of the parties, the kind of proceeding, and a description of the property affected.
Section 12.0071 - Motion to Expunge Lis Pendens (a) A party to an action in connection with which a notice of lis pendens has been filed may: (1) apply to the court to expunge the notice; and (2) file evidence, including declarations, with the motion to expunge the notice.