A plaintiff files a lawsuit involving a property and also files a separate document intended to provide notice of the lawsuit. This recorded notice of a pending legal action is called a/an:

• A. Abstract of title
• B. Deed of release
• C. Title insurance
• D. Lis pendens

Answer: (D)

The concept being tested is the function of a lis pendens. A lis pendens is the filed record notice that a lawsuit involving the property is pending, alerting buyers, lenders, and others that the property's title could be affected by the outcome of that litigation. It creates constructive notice in the public records, so anyone dealing with the property knows there is potential claims or encumbrances tied to the case. It doesn’t resolve the dispute itself; rather, it protects the plaintiff’s interests by ensuring that the litigation has priority as the case proceeds and any transfer of the property may be challenged until the court resolves the action.

An abstract of title, by comparison, is a summary of the chain of title and recorded encumbrances used in title searches, not a notice of ongoing litigation. A deed of release is a document that releases a lien or obligation, not a notice of litigation. Title insurance provides protection against title defects but isn’t itself a notice of a pending action.