What is Real Property?

Real property, in the realm of real estate law, constitutes the foundation of partition actions and other countless legal disputes and litigation. Understanding the intricacies of real property is crucial for anyone involved in real estate, whether as property owners, buyers, sellers, or lenders.

Defining Real Property

Real property, often referred to simply as “real estate” or “realty,” encompasses land and everything permanently attached to it. This includes structures, natural resources, and any improvements made to the land. In legal terms, real property is distinguished from personal property by its immobility — it is fixed in location and cannot be easily moved.

Real property is defined by California Civil Code 658 as follows:

Real or immovable property consists of:

1. Land;

2. That which is affixed to land;

3. That which is incidental or appurtenant to land;

4. That which is immovable by law; except that for the purposes of sale, emblements, industrial growing crops and things attached to or forming part of the land, which are agreed to be severed before sale or under the contract of sale, shall be treated as goods and be governed by the provisions of the title of this code regulating the sales of goods.

California Civil Code § 658

What Is Considered Real Property

Key components of real property include:

  1. Land: The physical surface of the earth, extending downwards to its core and upwards to the sky.
  2. Improvements: Man-made additions or alterations to the land, such as buildings, fences, roads, and utilities.
  3. Appurtenances: Rights or privileges that are attached to the land, such as easements or water rights.

Resolution Mechanisms for Co-Owners in Real Estate Litigation

When disputes related to co-ownership of real property arise, various mechanisms can be employed to seek resolution:

  1. Negotiation and Settlement: Parties may engage in negotiations to reach a mutually agreeable settlement, avoiding the costs and uncertainties associated with litigation. Talkov Law has even provided a Letter Warning of Partition to aid co-owners who are looking to settle their partition dispute outside of court.
  2. Mediation and Arbitration: Alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation or arbitration, provide avenues for resolving conflicts outside the courtroom, often in a more expeditious and cost-effective manner.
  3. Litigation: If disputes cannot be resolved through negotiation or alternative methods, litigation may be necessary. The knowledgeable partition attorneys at Talkov Law have experience handling over 250 partition actions throughout California and are available to assist you in ending your co-ownership dispute quickly and efficiently.

Contact the Experienced Partition Attorneys at Talkov Law

Real property is the cornerstone of real estate, and its legal implications are vast and complex. Understanding the nature of real property is essential for anticipating and addressing potential issues. However, issues can arise even with careful planning. If you are experiencing a dispute between co-owners, the partition attorneys at Talkov Law can help you end your co-ownership dispute with either a sale of the property to a third-party buyer or to one of the other co-owners. Give California’s #1 partition action law firm a call today at (877) PARTITION (727-8484) or send us a message.

About Scott Talkov

Scott Talkov is California's #1 partition lawyer, having handled over 600 partition actions. He founded Talkov Law Corp. after more than one decade of experience at a California real estate litigation firm, where he served as one of the firm's partners. He has been featured on CNN, ABC 7, KCBS, and KCAL-9, and in the Los Angeles Times, the Orange County Register, the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Press-Enterprise, and in Los Angeles Lawyer Magazine. Scott has been rated by Super Lawyers since 2013. He can be reached at info@talkovlaw.com or (877) PARTITION (727-8484).

Free Consultation

Speak With a Partition Attorney Today

For select matters, payment can be deferred until resolution, with monthly billing also available.

Why Talkov Law

California's First & Most Experienced Partition Firm

  • 600+ partition cases handled — more than any firm in California
  • Free consultation — speak directly with a partition attorney
  • No fee until you win for qualified cases
  • Statewide coverage across all of California

Recognition

Awards & Recognition

As Featured In

ABOVE THE LAW ABA JOURNAL TODAY LA Times THE REAL DEAL ABC7 REDFIN DAILY JOURNAL

From Our Blog

California's Most Comprehensive Partition Law Resource

  • 500+ articles covering every aspect of partition law
  • Written by practicing partition attorneys
  • Trusted by co-owners, attorneys & real estate professionals
  • Updated regularly with new case law & legal developments

Statewide Coverage

Offices Throughout California

The information on this site, including the Talkov Law Blog, is intended for general information purposes only. By using this site, you agree that any information contained in the site does not constitute legal, financial or any other form of professional advice. Information on this site may be changed without notice and is not guaranteed to be complete, accurate, correct or up-to-date.