Partition Lawyers in San Francisco
Our San Francisco partition litigation attorneys will work diligently to obtain a favorable outcome on your behalf, whether by negotiation or litigation.
Talkov Law’s attorneys serving San Francisco 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 also provide a way for co-owners to force the sale of the property if they cannot agree on how to divide it. The partition statutes also set out the procedures for the sale of the property and how the proceeds of the sale will be divided among the co-owners. The partition statutes also provide for the payment of costs associated with the sale of the property.
- What is the average cost of a partition action? The usual cost for a partition action is about $8,000 to $12,000, depending on the complexity. Some cases settle quickly after the defendant receives the partition complaint, while others can drag on longer if there are more complex issues or delay tactics by the defendant.
- What are the costs associated with a partition action? The costs of a partition action generally involve the attorney's fees, and court costs, but can involve referee fees and broker's fees if the property is sold.
- Are there methods to resolve a partition situation without a court-ordered sale? The vast majority of partitions are solved without a court-ordered sale. Many times, the defendant will buy out the plaintiff's interest. Other times, the parties will agree to a voluntary sale on the open market. However, the filing of the partition action is generally what forces the defendant to see the wisdom of settlement. Under California's Partition of Real Property Act, a defendant can buy out the interest of the plaintiff at an appraised value, meaning that a court-ordered sale is only likely occur where the defendant simply can't afford to buy the property but still won't agree to sell.
- What is the timeline for a California partition action? Most partition actions are resolved in 3 to 6 months by way of settlement. Other cases can take 6 to 12 months to obtain an interlocutory judgment of partition, which generally appoints a referee to sell the property.
- 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.
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.
Baldwin v. Foster - Partition Action Case Study
In the legal case of Baldwin v. Foster, 157 Cal. 643 (1910), the issue was whether a partition of a parcel of land was valid. The plaintiff, Baldwin, owned a parcel of land with his brother, Foster. The two brothers agreed to divide the land into two parts, with Baldwin taking the northern portion and Foster taking the southern portion. However, Foster then sold his portion of the land to a third party without Baldwin's consent. Baldwin then sued Foster, arguing that the partition was invalid and that Foster had no right to sell his portion of the land without Baldwin's consent. The court ultimately ruled in favor of Baldwin, finding that the partition was invalid and that Foster had no right to sell his portion of the land without Baldwin's consent.
