Land records · Parcel maps · October 5, 2026
What Is a Lis Pendens? Notice of Pending Property Suit
A lis pendens warns that a lawsuit involving the property is pending. What it does, where it is recorded, and how to match it to the right parcel.
What is a lis pendens? Latin for “suit pending,” a lis pendens (also called a notice of pendency) is a recorded notice that a lawsuit affecting title to a specific property has been filed. It warns buyers, lenders, and searchers that the outcome of the case may bind the land. It is not itself a money judgment, and filing rules are state-specific.
What a lis pendens does
- Gives constructive notice of litigation involving the property.
- Can make the title unmarketable until the case ends or the notice is released.
- Usually must describe the land and reference the court case number.
Common contexts include foreclosure, quiet title, partition among co-owners, and contract disputes over a sale. Related court-to-land recordings include judgment liens—see what is a judgment lien.
Where to find it
- Search the county recorder’s grantor-grantee index under the owner’s name for “lis pendens” or “notice of pendency.”
- Read the legal description and compare it with the parcel on the county GIS viewer from our county GIS map directory.
- Look up the cited case in the court clerk’s records for status.
How to use a grantor-grantee index and how to find liens on a property cover the search mechanics.
After the suit
When the case ends, parties often record a release, withdrawal, or certified judgment. Until the notice is cleared in the land records, title commitments will commonly list it as an exception. For ownership disputes aimed at a court declaration, see what is a quiet title action.
What is a lis pendens FAQ
Is a lis pendens a lien for a dollar amount?
No. It is notice of pending litigation affecting the property, not a judgment for a set sum.
Can I sell a property with a lis pendens recorded?
Sales are difficult because buyers and lenders take subject to the lawsuit’s outcome. Clearing or resolving the case is usually required.
How do I remove a lis pendens?
Through a recorded release or withdrawal, or as the court directs when the case ends. Procedures follow state law.
Where do I look it up?
In the county land records under the owner’s name, then confirm the case in court records and the parcel description on the map.