Burlingame Partition Lawyer

Partition Action Attorneys in Burlingame

Burlingame is a city located in San Mateo County, California, just south of San Francisco. It is a vibrant and diverse community known for its beautiful tree-lined streets, excellent schools, and a variety of shopping and dining options. Burlingame is also home to several parks, including the popular Washington Park, which features a playground, picnic areas, and a lake. The city is also home to the San Francisco International Airport, making it a convenient location for travelers.

Talkov Law’s attorneys serving San Mateo County are exceptionally experienced in California partition actions and have conducted over 390 partitions 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 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.

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

  • Can heirs force the sale of property? Heirs can force the sale of real property in California once that property is distributed to them. However, sometimes, the property is still held in a trust where the trustee will sell the property. When there is no trust, the probate court may decide that the probate administrator will sell the property before it is distributed in fractional interests to the heirs.
  • Who pays for a partition action? In California, 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).
  • 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.
  • What are the steps involved in a partition action in California? The first step is to file a partition complaint in California, which is followed by a request for the court to enter an interlocutory judgment of partition, thereby appointing a partition referee under the partition statutes.
  • 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.

Speak to Our Burlingame 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







    Sipe v. Hollingsworth & Co. – Partition Action Case Study

    In the legal case of Sipe v. Hollingsworth & Co., 99 Cal.App.2d 391 (1950), the issue of partition was at the center of the dispute. The plaintiff, Sipe, owned a one-third interest in a parcel of real property with two other individuals, Hollingsworth and another individual. Sipe sought to partition the property, but Hollingsworth refused to do so. The court found that Hollingsworth had acted in bad faith by refusing to partition the property, and ordered that the property be partitioned in accordance with Sipe’s wishes. The court also ordered Hollingsworth to pay Sipe’s costs and attorney’s fees. The case is an example of how partition issues can arise in real estate disputes, and how the court can order a partition of the property if one of the parties is acting in bad faith.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Partitions in Burlingame

    The costs of a partition action, including attorney fees, court fees, appraiser fees, and other legal expenses, are typically around $10,000 to $15,000 for less complex cases. These fees are shared among the co-owners. However, the court may adjust the distribution of these costs based on each party’s level of involvement or responsibility, allowing for 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 Burlingame, 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 Burlingame, County of San Mateo, California

    Our Burlingame partition litigation attorneys will work diligently to obtain a favorable outcome on your behalf, whether by negotiation or litigation. Talkov law 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.