Partition Lawyers in Larkspur
Our Larkspur partition litigation attorneys will work diligently to obtain a favorable outcome on your behalf, whether by negotiation or litigation.
Talkov Law’s attorneys serving Marin County are exceptionally experienced in the area of California partition actions. California partition actions provide a legal mechanism for co-owners of real property to divide the property among themselves. The partition statutes allow a co-owner to file a lawsuit in court to have the property divided, either physically or by sale. The court will then order the division of the property in a way that is fair and equitable to all parties. The partition statutes also provide that any proceeds from the sale of the property must be divided among the co-owners in proportion to their respective interests in the property.
- What are the different types of partition in California? Almost all partition actions are partition by sale, though partition in-kind allows the property to be divided, while a partition by appraisal allows the purchase by one-co-owner at an appraised value.
- Can a Trust File a Partition? Yes, a trust can file a partition action as the co-owner of real property in California.
- How much does a partition action cost? The cost of a partition action can vary widely depending on the complexity of the case. A typical partition action usually costs between $5,000 and $12,000, with about $8,000 being the most common cost. However, difficulty locating a defendant, the motion to appoint a partition referee, delay tactics by defendants, and other issues may raise the cost of your partition action. An experienced partition lawyer can mitigate costs and resolve your co-ownership dispute with maximum efficiency.
- What is recoverable in a partition action? “In a suit for partition it is a general rule that all equities and conflicting claims existing between the parties and arising out of their relation to the property to be partitioned may be adjusted.” Demetris v. Demetris (1954) 125 Cal. App. 2d 440. This means that co-owners can assert offsets or recover payments of the mortgage, taxes, insurance, repairs and improvements in excess of their fractional interests.
- Can we negotiate a settlement instead of going through a partition action? We find that the best solution is to file the partition action, then negotiate a settlement. Defendants often reach a more reasonable settlement when they are being advised by a partition attorney who will explain that the plaintiff is very likely to obtain the sale of the property.
For a free consultation with California’s first and largest team of partition attorneys at Talkov Law at (415) 966-3300 or contact us online today.
Call us at (415) 966-3300 or contact us below to schedule a free, 15-minute consultation.
Bethel v. Brazil - Partition Action Case Study
In the legal case of Bethel v. Brazil, 2004 WL 1327691, B168968 (15-Jun-2004) , the issue of partition was at the center of the dispute. The case involved a dispute between two siblings, Bethel and Brazil, over the partition of their deceased mother's estate. Bethel argued that the estate should be divided equally between the two siblings, while Brazil argued that the estate should be divided according to the terms of their mother's will. The court ultimately ruled in favor of Bethel, finding that the will was invalid and that the estate should be divided equally between the two siblings. The court also found that Brazil had acted in bad faith by attempting to use the will to gain an unfair advantage over Bethel.
