What happens when a lis pendens is recorded?

When a lis pendens is recorded, it serves as a public notice concerning pending litigation that may affect the property in question. The primary purpose of a lis pendens is to protect the claimant's potential interest in the property, indicating that there is a legal action that could affect rights to it. This notice informs potential buyers or financiers that any interest they might seek in the property could be subject to the outcome of the pending legal proceedings. As a result, a lis pendens is crucial for safeguarding the rights of a party seeking to enforce a claim against the property, such as in cases of foreclosure, title disputes, or other significant real estate litigation.

Therefore, while the lis pendens creates a notice but does not ensure possession of the property, eliminate unrecorded claims, or guarantee debts are cleared beforehand, it effectively protects and puts on notice anyone who might consider acquiring the property or lending against it.