Farr v. Davis et al

Filing 78

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER denying 77 Motion Requesting Court Acknowledgement of Lis Pendens. Signed by Magistrate Judge Kenneth G. Gale on May 10, 2017.(Gale, Kenneth) (Main Document 78 replaced on 5/10/2017) (aa).

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF KANSAS
JOAN E. FARR, pro se,

vs.
DARYL DAVIS, et al.,

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Plaintiff,
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Defendants. )
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Case No. 16-2180-CM-KGG

ORDER DENYING REQUEST THAT COURT ACKNOWLEDGE
LIS PENDENS LIEN AND FILE NOTICE WITH REGISTER OF DEEDS
Plaintiff, pro se, has filed a “Notice of Lien Lis Pendens” (Doc. 77) in this matter in an
attempt to confirm that this pending action encumbers real property owned by the named
Defendants.1 As part of that filing, Plaintiff requests this Court “acknowledge this action is lis
pendens and ensure it is on file with the Sedgwick County Register of Deeds against [defendants’
properties].”
The questions of when a judgment in a state or federal court becomes a lien on real
property, and when the filing of an action serves as notice of the pendency of the action (lis
pendens) and possible attachment of an eventual judgment lien, is determined by Kansas
statutory law. See K.S.A. 60-2201; 60-2202; 60-2203a. Those provisions describe when an
action constitutes notice in the county where the action is pending, and how to file notices of lis

1

The pleading is styled as a “notice,” but in its conclusion requests relief from the Court.
Specifically, the Plaintiff asks that the Court “acknowledge” that the filing is “lis pendens” as to
listed and other property of the Defendants, and “ensure” that the notice is on file with the
Sedgwick County Register of Deeds. Because the pleading requests relief from the Court, the
Court must treat the pleading as a motion. See generally Fed. R. Civ. Proc. 7(b)(1).

pendens in the Kansas District Courts in counties other than where the action is filed to effect
notice concerning real estate not located in the county where the action is pending. K.S.A. 602301, provides an exemption from sale by judgement lien for homestead property. The Court
expresses no opinion here concerning whether this action could result in a judgment lien
enforceable against any property, or whether the pending action is lis pendens as to that
property.2
Whether this action either is or is not lis pendens as to any real estate is determined by
Kansas law. The filing of a “notice” in this Court does not add or detract from that effect, and
there is no procedure for this Court to “acknowledge” the effect of the pending action on
Defendants’ property. Also, there is no procedure for this Court to file any notice with a state
Register of Deeds.3

The motion is DENIED.
S/ Kenneth G. Gale
_______________________
Kenneth G. Gale
United States Magistrate Judge

2

The Court will observe, to avoid confusion for those researching this record, that this
action does not involve the title to real property, including the property listed in the Notice, thus
the lis pendens provisions of K.S.A. 60-2201(a) are not applicable. Any lis pendens effect of this
action would be determined by K.S.A. 60-2203(a).
3

Lis pendens notice in Kansas, whether by original filing or by notice, is effected by
filings in the courts, not by filings with the Register of Deeds.