What is the legal term for a pending legal action concerning property?

The term "lis pendens" is used to describe a situation where a legal action is pending regarding a particular piece of property. This term translates from Latin as "suit pending." When a lis pendens is filed, it serves as a public notice that there is a legal claim against the property, which can affect the ability to sell or finance the property until the legal matter is resolved. It is primarily used to inform potential buyers or lenders that the property may be subject to the outcome of a lawsuit, thereby protecting the interests of the party filing the lis pendens.

This notice ensures that any subsequent purchaser or encumbrancer is aware of the ongoing legal proceedings, which could alter the rights to the property in question.

In contrast, adverse possession refers to a legal doctrine allowing a person to claim ownership of land under certain conditions after occupying it for a specified period without the permission of the owner. Statutory claim is a more generic term that refers to claims made under specific statutes, which doesn't directly speak to the scenario of pending legal action concerning property. Abutter's rights involve the rights of property owners whose land borders a particular piece of property, focusing more on access and boundary issues rather than on pending litigation.