Notice of Lis Pendens
(NJ)

Summary

This template for a notice of lis pendens may be filed in New Jersey to put third-parties on notice that a legal action that seeks to enforce a lien on or affect title to real property has been filed. This template contains practical guidance and drafting notes. N.J. Stat. § 2A:15-6 requires that a plaintiff commencing an action in New Jersey that seeks "to enforce a lien upon real estate or to affect the title to real estate or a lien or encumbrance thereon," simultaneously file a notice of lis pendens in the county where the real property is located. The purpose of filing the notice of lis pendens is to put potential purchasers and lenders on notice that the action exists. A lis pendens may not be filed if the suit is for money damages only. N.J. Stat. § 2A:15-6. The notice of lis pendens must contain the name and object of the legal action and also a description of the affected real estate. N.J. Stat. § 2A:15-6. Additional information is required if the legal action seeks to foreclose a mortgage or certificate of tax sale. N.J. Stat. § 2A:15-9. This template should not be used to file a lis pendens in connection with an action to foreclose a mortgage; instead, use Notice of Lis Pendens (Mortgage Foreclosure) (NJ). For requirements when the lis pendens is filed in connection with the foreclosure of a certificate of tax sale, see N.J. Stat. § 2A:15-9. N. J. Stat. § 2A:15-11 provides that no lis pendens shall be valid for more than five years. The lis pendens will be discharged if the defendant prevails in the case. N. J. Stat. § 2A:15-14. In addition, the lis pendens can be discharged if the plaintiff fails to prosecute the action (N. J. Stat. § 2A:15-11) or when the judgment is paid or satisfied or the parties settle (N. J. Stat. § 2A:15-17). In addition, if the notice is filed in connection with an action for the enforcement of a claim for the payment of money, except for the foreclosure of a mortgage, the defendant in the action may procure a discharge of the lis pendens by posting sufficient security with the court. N. J. Stat. § 2A:15-15. For further guidance on discharge, see Discharge of Lis Pendens (NJ) and Discharge of Lis Pendens (Mortgage Foreclosure) (NJ). For statutory rules affecting a lis pendens filed in connection with the enforcement of a mechanic's lien, see N.J. Stat. § 2A:44A-24.1. For requirements in an eminent domain proceeding, see N.J. Stat. § 20:3-10. For information on foreclosure in New Jersey, see Commercial Foreclosure Resource Kit (NJ) and Residential Foreclosure Resource Kit (NJ). For information on recording real property documents in New Jersey, see Recording Procedures (NJ). For a list of key resources covering real estate-related tasks for associates, in-house attorneys, and interns, see First Year Associate Resource Kit: Real Estate, Summer Associate Resource Kit: Real Estate, In-House Real Estate Resource Kit, and Federal Government Summer Intern Resource Kit: Real Estate.