property
lis pendens
A lis pendens, Latin for "suit pending," is a recorded public notice that a lawsuit has been filed that may affect title to or possession of a specific property. It warns potential buyers and lenders that anyone acquiring an interest takes it subject to the outcome of the case. A lis pendens is not itself a lien, but it clouds the title and can make the property difficult to sell or refinance until the suit is resolved.
- Exam tip
- Exams test that a lis pendens gives constructive notice of pending litigation. It is commonly recorded at the start of a foreclosure.
- Example
- A lender files a foreclosure suit and records a lis pendens. A buyer who purchases the home the next week takes title subject to the foreclosure result.
Related terms & state variants
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Last verified: 2026-10-23