It is essentially a type of "lien" on the property telling the world that a lawsuit is pending concerning the ownership or title to a parcel of land. A lis pendens effectively puts an "all stop" on any transaction to sell or finance the subject property, much like an injunction or prejudgment attachment.The obvious answer is to bring a lawsuit against the seller for specific performance and immediately seek to record a memorandum of lis pendens. A lis pendens is an essential tool that provides notice of pending litigation involving a claim that affects title to real estate. A notice of pendency of action or lis pendens is a statutory procedure designed to give constructive notice of a lawsuit affecting real property. First, you can only file a lis pendens if you have a pending lawsuit with the circuit court. Section 15: Proceedings affecting title to real property; recording and registration of memoranda of lis pendens; persons affected. What is the Process to Obtain a Lis Pendens? In Massachusetts, a plaintiff must obtain court approval before recording a notice of lis pendens. A Lis Pendens is also filed in the court where the action it refers to is pending.