“Lis pendens doctrine” permits the dismissal of the later action filed when two or more lawsuits are pending. It is designed to protect a defendant from having to defend several suits on the same cause of action at the same time.
How to Remove a Lis Pendens Notice in Texas Ask the court to remove the notice (e.g. Motion to Expunge). Notify all affected parties at least 20 days before the court hearing. Provide evidence with their request to remove the notice.
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 party filing a lis pendens or the party's agent or attorney shall sign the lis pendens, which must state: (1) the style and number, if any, of the proceeding; (2) the court in which the proceeding is pending; (3) the names of the parties; (4) the kind of proceeding; and (5) a description of the property affected.
Under the Texas Property Code, lis pendens notices are only authorized when there is an underlying lawsuit on file that makes a claim involving: (1) title to the real property; (2) the establishment of an interest in the real property; or (3) enforcement of an encumbrance (e.g., a lien) against the real property.
No notice of lis pendens shall be effective after five years from the date of its filing.
(c) The court shall order the notice of lis pendens expunged if the court determines that: (1) the pleading on which the notice is based does not contain a real property claim; (2) the claimant fails to establish by a preponderance of the evidence the probable validity of the real property claim; or (3) the person who ...
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 - 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.
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.