A lis pendens is the first filing made during the foreclosure process. Barron's Dictionary of Real Estate Terms defines Lis Pendens as Latin for suit pending.This article examines principal elements of a notice of pendency, and certain risks of filing in light of its simplicity. Lis pendens: Latin for "a pending suit. Make a written demand for a discharge of lis pendens from the party who filed it. Historically known as lis pendens, a notice of pendency constructively gives notice of the ownership dispute to any potential thirdparty. A notice of a lis pendens (Latin for "suit pending") is an instrument filed in the real property records of a county that indicates a civil lawsuit is pending. Visit your county recorder's office and ask to file a Notice of Lis Pendens.