What is a lis pendens?

A lis pendens is a legal term used in property law in the state of Washington. It is a public notification in the form of a document that is filed in a county recorder’s office to let the public know that a lawsuit has been filed claiming ownership or rights to a particular parcel of land. A lis pendens is used to establish a claim of ownership or rights to a particular piece of real estate. Once the lis pendens is filed, the court will hold jurisdiction over any sale or transfer of the property until the court resolves the dispute. This means that no sale or other claim to the property can be made without the legally-binding court order that resolves the dispute. Lis pendens can also be used to provide notice that a lien is being placed on a piece of property. In this case, the notice is filed and the lien is enforced by the court until the lien is paid off, or the court orders otherwise. It is important to note that the filing of a lis pendens does not mean that the case will be decided in favor of the claimant; it only serves to protect the interests of the party filing the claim until the court is able to make a determination.

Related FAQs

What is a deed of cross-conveyance?
What is a court ordered partition?
What is a reversionary interest?
What is a covenant of seisin?
What is the difference between a real right and a personal right?
What is joint tenancy?
What happens if the mortgage is not paid?
What happens if a title defect is discovered?
What is an easement?
What is a lease with an option to buy?

What is a lis pendens?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts