Partition Lawyers in Monterey
Our Monterey partition litigation attorneys will work diligently to obtain a favorable outcome on your behalf, whether by negotiation or litigation.
Talkov Law’s attorneys serving Monterey County are exceptionally experienced in the area of California partition actions. A California partition action is a law that allows co-owners of real property to divide the property among themselves. The partition statutes provide a legal mechanism for co-owners to divide the property without having to go through the court system. The partition statutes allow co-owners to divide the property either by agreement or by court order. If the co-owners cannot agree on how to divide the property, then the court will divide the property in a way that is fair and equitable to all parties. The partition statutes also provide that any partition of the property must be done in accordance with the laws of the state of California. The legal effect of the partition statutes is that it provides a legal mechanism for co-owners to divide their property without having to go through the court system.
- Can I recover my attorney's fees in a partition action? Yes, you can recover your legal fees in a partition action through a motion for attorney's fees. However, most partitions settle, and most settlements involve a walk-away of attorney's fees, meaning it important to hire a partition attorney who will handle the matter efficiently since each party is likely to pay their own fees.
- What are the grounds for a partition action in California? A co-owner is "entitled to partition as a matter of absolute right," meaning "he need not assign any reason for his demand; that it is sufficient if he demands a severance; and that when grounds for a sale are duly established it may be demanded as of right. To grant it is not a mere matter of grace.” De Roulet v. Mitchel (1945) 70 Cal.App.2d 120, 123-124.
- 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 you lose interest in a jointly owned home by moving out? Generally, co-owners maintain their ownership interests regardless of whether they live at the property. However, in rare cases, leaving the property for many years without paying taxes or other expenses may allow the co-owners in possession to argue that they have adversely possessed the property. Generally, these co-ownership disputes do not get easier with time, so it is important to act promptly.
- Can a partition action be stopped? Generally, a partition action cannot be stopped, but a defendant may be able to buy time to seek a resolution. Eventually, however, the plaintiff can generally force the sale of the property based on the absolute right to partition.
For a free consultation with California’s first and largest team of partition attorneys at Talkov Law at (831) 999-9900 or contact us online today.
Call us at (831) 999-9900 or contact us below to schedule a free, 15-minute consultation.
Sullivan v. Lumsden - Partition Action Case Study
In the legal case of Sullivan v. Lumsden, 118 Cal. 664 (1897), the partition issues revolved around the division of a parcel of land owned by the parties. The court had to determine whether the land should be divided into two equal parts, or if the parties should be allowed to divide the land in a way that would be more beneficial to them. The court ultimately decided that the parties should be allowed to divide the land in a way that would be more beneficial to them, as long as it was done in a fair and equitable manner. The court also held that the parties should be allowed to make any necessary improvements to the land in order to make it more valuable.
