Partition Lawyers in Lafayette
Our Lafayette partition litigation attorneys will work diligently to obtain a favorable outcome on your behalf, whether by negotiation or litigation.
Talkov Law’s attorneys serving Contra Costa County are exceptionally experienced in the area of California partition actions. California partition actions allows for the division of real property among co-owners. This statute provides a legal mechanism for co-owners to divide their real property into separate interests. The partition statutes allow for the court to order a partition of the property, either by physically dividing the property or by selling the property and dividing the proceeds among the co-owners. The partition statutes also provide for the court to award damages to any co-owner who has been wrongfully excluded from the property. The partition statutes also allows for the court to award attorney’s fees and costs to the prevailing party.
- What are the tax implications of a partition action? It is best to seek the advice of a tax attorney or CPA about tax issues. However, the most common tax issues in partitions, like other sales, can involve capital gains taxes and the potential partial or full reassessment of property taxes.
- Can heirs force the sale of property? Heirs can force the sale of real property in California once that property is distributed to them. However, sometimes, the property is still held in a trust where the trustee will sell the property. When there is no trust, the probate court may decide that the probate administrator will sell the property before it is distributed in fractional interests to the heirs.
- What types of properties can be subject to a partition action in California? All co-owned real or personal property can be partitioned under California law. Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 872.020.
- Can I be forced into selling a jointly owned house? Under California's Partition of Real Property Act, a co-owner will have a right to buyout the property. However, absent a buy out at the appraised price, a plaintiff will likely be able to force the sale of a jointly owned house.
- What is a partition referee? A partition referee is a neutral third party, often times a lawyer or real estate broker, who completes the sale for the co-owners under court authority. The referee is then paid for their services either on an hourly, flat fee, or commission basis, and is relieved by the court of their duties in the case.
For a free consultation with California’s first and largest team of partition attorneys at Talkov Law at (925) 999-7700 or contact us online today.
Call us at (925) 999-7700 or contact us below to schedule a free, 15-minute consultation.
Thomas v. Hawkins - Partition Action Case Study
In the legal case of Thomas v. Hawkins, 96 Cal.App.2d 377 (1950), the issue was whether a partition of real property was valid. The plaintiff, Thomas, owned a parcel of land with his brother, Hawkins. Thomas wanted to partition the land, but Hawkins refused. Thomas then filed a partition action against Hawkins. The trial court found that the partition was valid and ordered the land to be divided. However, Hawkins appealed the decision, arguing that the partition was invalid because it was not done in accordance with the law. The appellate court agreed with Hawkins and reversed the trial court's decision, holding that the partition was invalid because it was not done in accordance with the law. The court held that a partition must be done in accordance with the law in order to be valid, and that the partition in this case was not done in accordance with the law.
