Texas Court Reporter Practice Exam

Which term refers to a notice of pending legal action regarding real estate?

1. les pendens

2. les pendans

3. lis pendens

4. lis pendans

The correct answer is: lis pendens

The term that refers to a notice of pending legal action regarding real estate is "lis pendens." This is a Latin phrase that translates to "lawsuit pending." When filed, a lis pendens serves as a public notice that there is a legal claim involving a specific property, which informs potential buyers and lenders that the property is subject to litigation. This alerts interested parties to the fact that any ownership transfer or mortgage may be affected by the outcome of the legal action. The other variations, while sounding similar, do not accurately represent the correct legal term. Mispronunciations or misspellings such as "les pendens" or "les pendans" are not recognized within legal contexts, thus making "lis pendens" the correct and appropriate usage when discussing pending legal actions concerning real estate. Essentially, understanding this term is crucial for anyone involved in real estate transactions or legal proceedings regarding property rights.