What is a lis pendens?

A lis pendens serves as a recorded notice indicating that there is a lawsuit pending which involves a claim that may impact the title of the defendant's real estate. This notice is crucial in real estate transactions because it informs potential buyers or interested parties that the property is under legal dispute, which could result in the transfer of ownership or other rights to the property being affected by the outcome of the lawsuit.

By filing a lis pendens, the party initiating the lawsuit protects their interests in the property, preventing the owner from selling or mortgaging the property without disclosing the ongoing legal issues. This emphasizes the importance of a lis pendens in ensuring transparency in real estate dealings and safeguarding the rights of parties involved in legal disputes over property ownership.

The other options do not adequately describe a lis pendens. A written notice for property eviction pertains to landlord-tenant relationships and does not concern title disputes. An announcement of property for sale relates to a marketing effort and does not imply any legal action. A summary of title insurance benefits focuses on the advantages of purchasing title insurance and does not involve lawsuits or notices regarding pending litigation.