Scott Talkov, Author at Talkov Law Partition Attorneys

Tricks to Remove Co-Owner from House Title

The law allows any co-owner to remove another co-owner on the property title with or without their agreement through a quiet title action, or partition action, and by a deed with agreement. By Agreement – A Deed from the Co-Owner While it may seem obvious, a co-owner can be removed from the title to the … Read More

Code of Civil Procedure § 2016.090 (CCP) – Initial Disclosures (2024 New Law)

Effective January 1, 2024, California has instituted new mandatory early discovery disclosures in all civil cases by way of California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) 2016.090. This article outlines what litigators will need to know to handle their initial disclosure obligations and to use this as an effective tool to resolve disputes, including the partition … Read More

Joint Tenancy in California

Joint Tenancy with Right of Survivorship A joint tenancy is a type of co-ownership in California wherein all parties own equal shares of a property. A property owned by joint tenants is “owned by two or more persons in equal shares, by a title created by a single will or transfer, when expressly declared in … Read More

Should I Tell My Co-owner That I Am Suing Them for Partition?

Generally, no, it is not best to informally notify your co-owner that you have hired an attorney to file a lawsuit for partition of the co-owned real property. The general reason that co-owners ask if they should inform their co-owners that they are filing for partition is some perceived moral obligation to provide informal notice … Read More

What is the Scope of a Partition Action?

The leading treatise on California real estate law, Miller & Starr, explains that: “All conflicting claims existing between the parties and arising out of their relationship as cotenants can be adjudicated in the partition action.” Miller & Starr, 4 Cal. Real Est. (4th ed.) § 11:18. California Jurisprudence provides that: “In a suit for partition, … Read More

Can One Co-Owner Take Out a Loan on a Jointly Owned Property?

Co-ownership disagreements can easily boil over when multiple parties own real property, especially when one party has taken out loans without the consent of their co-owner(s). The remaining co-owners want to be sure that their equity in the property is still available to them even if their co-owner has encumbrances on the property, including mortgages, … Read More

Sitzer vs. NAR Realtor Commission Lawsuit Will Disrupt California Real Estate

The $1.8b judgment in the Sitzer/Burnett Realtor commission class action lawsuit in Missouri federal court will change California real estate forever in ways that will benefit real estate attorneys and California consumers. Notably, the class action case of Christine Grace vs National Association of Realtors (NAR) was filed in California federal court on December 8, … Read More

Civil Code § 843 – Concurrent ownership; Ouster; Procedure; Damages (Partition Action)

California Civil Code 843 is the California partition statute that addresses concurrent ownership, ouster, and damages related thereto in a partition action. The statute provides that: (a) If real property is owned concurrently by two or more persons, a tenant out of possession may establish an ouster from possession by a tenant in possession in … Read More

How Long Does a Partition Action Take?

How Long Does It Take to Partition a Property? A partition action usually takes between six to nine months depending on the circumstances and the complexity of each case. The most significant factor is whether the partition is being handled by an attorney who practices only in partition law. Other factors include whether court involvement … Read More

Who Pays for a Partition Action?

California law allows the party filing a partition action to request that the court award their attorney’s fees and costs from the other co-owners. Attorneys fees are most likely to be granted against an uncooperative defendant. These fees are generally paid from the proceeds of sale of the property. In fact, the recovery is not … Read More