Partition Lawyers in Walnut Creek
Our Walnut Creek 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 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 awarding each co-owner a certain percentage of the property's value. The court will then order the property to be divided according to the co-owners' wishes. The partition statutes also provide that if the court finds that a physical division of the property is not possible, it may order the property to be sold and the proceeds divided among the co-owners.
- 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.
- How long will it take for the plaintiff to receive his or her share of the sales proceeds? Usually, the property is marketed for sale or purchased by the defendant in 3 to 6 months. If a referee is appointed, that may take 6 to 9 months. With proper drafting of an interlocutory judgment of partition by sale, the referee can be required to disburse the proceeds promptly at the close of escrow or shortly thereafter.
- 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 potential outcomes of a partition action? The most likely outcome in a partition action is that the plaintiff receives fair value for their interest in the property either through a sale to a third party or to the defendant. In rare cases, a property can be divided, through this is not applicable to single family residences with no surplus land.
- Can a partition action be stopped or dismissed in California? The truth is that there are very few affirmative defenses in a partition action, and those defenses are rarely applied by courts in California.
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.
Krieg v. Crawford - Partition Action Case Study
In the legal case of Krieg v. Crawford, 59 Cal.App. 309 (1922), the issue of partition was at the center of the dispute. The case involved a dispute between two co-owners of a piece of real estate. The plaintiff, Krieg, sought to partition the property, while the defendant, Crawford, argued that the property should not be partitioned. The court ultimately ruled in favor of Krieg, finding that the property should be partitioned. The court held that the co-owners had a right to partition the property, and that the partition should be made in a manner that would be fair and equitable to both parties. The court also held that the partition should be made in a manner that would not cause unnecessary hardship to either party.
