Iowa · TitleIowa lis pendens: how the indexed petition gives notice and binds later buyers

Iowa doesn't need a separate lis pendens filing – the clerk's index does the work. When a petition affecting real estate is filed, the clerk of the district court indexes it in an index book under the tract number describing the property, with the case number, indexes any amended petition that adds parties or land, and notes the final result wherever indexed (Iowa Code §617.10). Once indexed, the action is considered pending so as to charge all third persons with notice, and while it's pending no interest can be acquired by third persons in the property as against the plaintiff's rights (§617.11(1)). A claim acquired before indexing but not of record by then is also subject to the action unless the claimant intervenes before judgment, or, before a transfer to a bona fide third party, records an affidavit showing the plaintiff had actual notice of the claim before indexing (§617.11(2)).