why would my attorney file a lis pendens on my property?

by Prof. Leta Macejkovic 3 min read

This is why the lis pendens is a tool often used by probate attorneys as a means of securing a client’s potential interest in an adverse party’s real estate. And this tool can be especially useful for attorneys who must secure a beneficiary’s interest in real estate during the pendency of a probate dispute.

Lis pendens, Latin for “suit pending,” is a notice that a lawsuit was filed in regard to land or property. It is typically filed in cases of ownership dispute. The purpose of the lis pendens can be for a party to protect its claim on a property and make it difficult to sell the property.Aug 25, 2020

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When to use a lis pendens in a real estate lawsuit?

LIS PENDENS: STILL A LAWYER’S LIABILITY By William McGrane1 Introduction The lis pendens is an important weapon in any real estate litigator’s arsenal.2 This is because recording such an instrument in Official Records typically renders the affected …

What happens when a lis pendens is recorded?

Formerly known as a “ lis pendens ,” a notice of pendency of action is a written document, recorded with the county recorder, that provides constructive notice of a pending court action (i.e. a lawsuit) that affects title to, or possession of, real property. In essence, a lis pendens is a notice of pending litigation against a piece of real ...

How do I remove a lis pendens from my property?

Lis pendens is Latin for “suit pending.” A lis pendens is a notice in the recorder’s office that is placed on the title of a house or piece of land. Recording a lis pendens gives potential buyers constructive notice that litigation involving the real property is underway. Until litigation is concluded or the lis pendens is removed, title to the property is “clouded.” As courts have ...

Can a lis pendens be removed from a foreclosure in California?

Dec 10, 2020 · In essence, a lis pendens is a notice of pending litigation against a piece of real property. A lis pendens means a “notice of the pendency of an action in which a real property claim is alleged.”. See Code Civ. Proc. § 405.2. A party who asserts a claim against real property may record the lis pendens in the recorder’s office of the ...

When filed a lis pendens indicates a?

A lis pendens is an official, public notice that a property has a pending lawsuit or claim attached to it. Lis pendens can only be filed if a claim is related specifically to the property; however, it specifies that the owner of the property must assume any litigation associated with it.

What does lis pendens mean in legal terms?

suit pendingLatin for “suit pending.” “Lis pendens” is construed to be the jurisdiction, power, or control which courts acquire over property involved in a suit, pending the continuance of the action, and until final judgment.

How do you challenge a lis pendens?

Under California law, a lis pendens can be removed through a process known as “expungement.” When the owner of real property believes a lis pendens has been improperly filed, they can file a motion to expunge the notice of pendency of action. If the motion is successful, the lis pendens will be removed and released.

How long does a lis pendens last in Texas?

A lis pendens is effective from the time it is filed and dissolves when a judgment is issued. Tex. Prop. Code § 13.004 (West 2017).Aug 23, 2017

What is the effect of lis pendens?

The common-law doctrine of lis pendens says, if property was the subject of litigation, the defendant-owner could transfer all or part of his or her interest in the property during the course of litigation, but not to the detriment of the rights of the plaintiff.May 30, 2020

How do I cancel my notice of lis pendens?

"SECTION 77. Cancellation of lis pendens — Before final judgment, a notice of lis pendens may be cancelled upon order of the court, after proper showing that the notice is for the purpose of molesting the adverse party, or that it is not necessary to protect the rights of the party who caused it to be registered.

What is lis pendant?

Legal Definition of lis pendens 1 : a pending suit. 2 : a written notice of a pending suit involving property usually filed in the appropriate office (as a registry of deeds) — called also notice of pendency. 3a : the jurisdiction and control of the court over property involved in a pending suit.

What is a pending notice of action?

A Notice of Pending Action, formerly known as a lis pendens, is a document that is recorded to give constructive record notice of a pending lawsuit. The lawsuit must involve a claim which affects (a) title to, or right to possession of, real property; or (b) the use of an easement.

How do I find lis pendens on my property?

Lis pendens are frequently filed as part of foreclosure proceedings, so searching for a lis pendens can also be a way to find out if a property is going into foreclosure. Search at your county clerk or county recorder's office for a lis pendens.

How do I get my lis pendens expunged in Texas?

A court may not, on its own motion, cancel or expunge a lis pendens. There must be a motion made by one of the parties and then notice to all concerned. With court approval, one may “bond around” a notice of lis pendens and obtain its cancellation by paying an adequate sum into the registry of the court.

How do you release a lis pendens in Texas?

A release of lis pendens should be filed for record with the county clerk of each county where the notice of lis pendens was originally filed. To file the release of lis pendens, the document must be either: Acknowledged. Sworn to with a proper jurat.

What is a writ of execution in Texas?

The court-issued Writ of Execution allows execution of a judgment debt by law enforcement in Texas, such as constables or sheriff's officers, to seize and then sell real and personal property belonging to the judgment. debtor in order to help satisfy the judgment.Dec 24, 2019

Is lis pendens the same as notice of pendency?

When a court considers a lawsuit involving real property, the court may issue a notice of pendency as a provisional remedy. ... In some jurisdictions, a notice of pendency is called a "lis pendens." Rules regarding notices of pendency vary by state.

Can you bond around a lis pendens?

Specifically, a court can expunge a lis pendens if the court finds “adequate relief can be secured to the claimant by giving of an undertaking” (bond).Aug 21, 2018

What does lis pendens mean in legal terms?

suit pendingLatin for “suit pending.” “Lis pendens” is construed to be the jurisdiction, power, or control which courts acquire over property involved in a suit, pending the continuance of the action, and until final judgment.

What does discharge of lis pendens mean?

Lis pendens is a formal notice of pending legal action, such as you might see in an upcoming foreclosure lawsuit. When a legal action against a homeowner is dropped, dismissal notices and releases of lis pendens also are filed.

How is a lis pendens released?

How do you release a lis pendens? A lis pendens may be removed through a motion to expunge. A motion to expunge may be granted if the underlying lawsuit or other court action does not contain a real property claim that has probable validity.

Can you refinance with lis pendens?

The recording of a lis pendens creates a “cloud on title” which notifies interested parties of the pending claims against the subject property. The presence of a recorded lis pendens can make it nearly impossible to finance, refinance or sell the subject property until the lis pendens has been removed.Oct 2, 2019

How do I cancel my notice of lis pendens?

"SECTION 77. Cancellation of lis pendens — Before final judgment, a notice of lis pendens may be cancelled upon order of the court, after proper showing that the notice is for the purpose of molesting the adverse party, or that it is not necessary to protect the rights of the party who caused it to be registered.

What Is A Lis Pendens?

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The purpose of a lis pendens is to give notice of a claim affecting the subject real estate, to any persons who subsequently acquire an interest in that property (e.g., subsequent purchasers or lenders on the property), so that any judgment in the underlying action will be binding upon such persons – even if they acquire their p…
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A Showing of A “Real Property Claim” Is Mandatory

  • To file and record a lis pendens against real estate, the claimant must have made a “real property claim” in the underlying litigation.A “real property claim” includes a cause of action in a pleading which would, if meritorious, affect 1. title to, or the right to possession of, specific real property or 2. the use of an easement identified in the pleading, other than an easement obtained pursuant t…
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Determining The Amount of The Bond

  • With respect to bonds (or “undertakings”) in lieu of a lis pendens – former Code of Civil Procedure (“CCP”) section 409.2 broadly stated that the amount of any such undertaking shall “be to the effect that such prevailing party will indemnify the other party for all damageswhich he may incur if he ultimately prevails in the action.” (Emphasis added). But despite the broad language of for…
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Mistakes to Avoid to Recover Your Attorney’s Fees

  • Finally, attorney’s fees are recoverable on a motion to expunge a lis pendens. CCP section 405.38 provides that the court shallaward to any party prevailing his reasonable attorney fees and costs of making or opposing the motion, “unless the court finds that the other party acted with substantial justification or that other circumstances make the imposition of attorney fees and c…
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Conclusion

  • Thus, the foregoing makes clear that whether and in what circumstances a lis pendens is appropriate, can be a complicated decision fraught with significant risks if a lis pendens is misused (including the potential payment of your adversary’s attorney’s fees). For these reasons, and for the purposes of recovering attorney’s fees, a party who moves to expunge a lis pendens …
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