What indicates the occurrence of a lis pendens in Ohio?

The occurrence of a lis pendens in Ohio is indicated by the filing of a complaint. A lis pendens is a legal notice that informs potential buyers or interested parties that a lawsuit has been filed concerning real property, affecting the title or possession of that property. When a complaint is filed, it alerts the public that there is a pending legal dispute involving the property, thereby serving as a warning that any potential interest in that property could be subject to the outcome of the lawsuit.

The other situations presented do not directly indicate the existence of a lis pendens. For example, the filing of a judgment signifies a conclusion to a legal matter but does not serve as a notice of pending litigation. Recording a deed pertains to the transfer of property ownership rather than a claim against it. Finally, initiating a title search is a process to find ownership and encumbrances related to the property but doesn't itself establish the existence of any legal claim. Thus, the correct indicator of a lis pendens is indeed the filing of a complaint.