What is a lis pendens document in Florida?

A lis pendens document in Florida is a legal document that notifies the world that there is a claim against real property, according to About Florida Law. The document is filed with the public records department in the county where the land is located.

A lis pendens gives formal notice to anyone wanting to buy Florida real estate that there is an encumbrance on the property, such as a lien, or that there is some pending litigation that may affect title to the property. It is usually discovered during a title search, which occurs as part of a property closing process. The existence of a lis pendens document indicates the presence of legal disputes that must be resolved before the property can be conveyed.