Belmont Partition Lawyer

Belmont Partition Lawyer

Talkov Law’s attorneys serving San Mateo County are exceptionally experienced in California partition actions and have conducted over 450 for our satisfied clients. 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 sale. The court will then order the division of the property in a way that is fair and equitable to all parties. The partition statutes also provide that any proceeds from the sale of the property must be divided among the co-owners in proportion to their respective interests in the property.

Our team of partition attorneys can assist co-owners with frequently asked questions about partitions, such as:

  • How will the property be divided if a partition action is successful? In most partition actions, the property will be sold, rather than being divided. If the property is eligible for partition in-kind, the court can appoint a referee to prepare a report on dividing the property in a manner that does not damage the value of the fractional interests.
  • 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 a minority owner force the sale of a property? There is no requirement for a majority vote for partition. Rather, an co-owner of any interest in property can force the sale.
  • 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 will the court in a California partition action determine how much each co-owner will receive from the sales proceeds? Generally, each co-owner will receive their fractional interest in the proceeds of sale based on their ownership interests. However, this amount can be enhanced or diminished by partition offsets whereby one co-owner paid more than their fractional interest for property expenses.

Belmont is a city in San Mateo County, California, located in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is situated between San Mateo and San Carlos, and is part of the Silicon Valley. Belmont is known for its excellent schools, its beautiful parks, and its vibrant downtown area. The city is home to a variety of businesses, including tech companies, restaurants, and retail stores. It is also home to the Belmont Sports Complex, which features a variety of sports fields and courts. The city is also home to the Belmont Library, which offers a variety of books, magazines, and other resources. Belmont is a great place to live, work, and play.

Speak to Our Belmont Partition Attorneys Today

Call our San Mateo County Partition Attorneys today to end your co-ownership dispute. You don’t pay until the house is sold!

Call us at (650) 999-3300 or contact us below to schedule a free, 15-minute consultation







    Teutenberg v. Schiller – Partition Action Case Study

    In the legal case of Teutenberg v. Schiller, 138 Cal.App.2d 18 (1955), the issue was whether a partition of real property was valid. The plaintiff, Teutenberg, owned a parcel of real property with his brother, Schiller. The two brothers had agreed to partition the property, with Teutenberg taking the northern portion and Schiller taking the southern portion. However, Schiller later refused to accept the partition and claimed that the partition was invalid. The court found that the partition was valid, as the brothers had agreed to it and had acted in good faith. The court also found that the partition was not invalidated by the fact that the brothers had not obtained a court order to effect the partition.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Partitions in Belmont

    The costs of a partition action—including attorney fees, court fees, appraiser fees, and other legal expenses—are typically around $20,000. While some cases may incur fees as low as $5,000 or exceed $20,000, depending on their complexity, these expenses are generally shared among the co-owners. The court may also adjust the distribution of these costs based on each party’s level of involvement or responsibility, ensuring a fairer allocation when needed.

    A partition action can be filed by any co-owner of a property, excluding married couples who own it as community property. A majority ownership is not required to initiate a partition action. Common situations for partition actions include disputes among siblings inheriting property, former romantic partners, friends or family members who purchased property together, and divorced couples.

    In Belmont, each party typically pays for their own attorney’s fees (known as the “American Rule”). However, California partition law allows for an exception to this rule, stating that “the court shall apportion the costs of partition among the parties in proportion to their interests or make such other apportionment as may be equitable.” California Code of Civil Procedure 874.040. Indeed, the court may award “reasonable attorney’s fees incurred or paid by a party for the common benefit.” California Code of Civil Procedure 874.010(a).

    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.

    Contact our Team of Experienced Partition Lawyers Serving the City of Belmont, County of San Mateo, California

    Our Belmont partition litigation attorneys will work diligently to obtain a favorable outcome on your behalf, whether by negotiation or litigation. Talkov Law Partition Attorneys unlocks access to justice for co-owners by funding your case. For qualified cases, you pay no fees until we successfully partition your property by obtaining a sale on the market or to your co-owner!  For a free consultation with California’s first and largest team of partition attorneys at Talkov Law, call (650) 999-3300 or contact us online today.

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        Offices Throughout California

        Los Angeles Partition Attorneys
        10880 Wilshire Blvd Ste 1101
        Los Angeles, CA 90024
        Phone: (310) 496-3300

        Orange County Partition Attorneys
        4000 MacArthur Blvd Ste 655
        Newport Beach, CA 92660
        Phone: (949) 888-8800

        San Jose Partition Attorneys
        99 S. Almaden Blvd Suite 600
        San Jose, CA 95113
        Phone: (408) 777-6800

        San Diego Partition Attorneys
        11622 El Camino Real Ste 100
        San Diego, CA 92130
        Phone: (858) 800-3300

        San Francisco Partition Attorneys
        50 California St, Ste 1500
        San Francisco, CA 94111
        Phone: (415) 966-3300

        Riverside Partition Attorneys
        3610 Central Ave, Ste 400
        Riverside, CA 92506
        Phone: (951) 888-3300

        Sacramento Partition Attorneys
        500 Capitol Mall, Suite 2350
        Sacramento, CA 95814
        Phone: (916) 668-3300

        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.