Transfer in Co-ownership Archives

Co-Listing as a Solution to Sell Co-Owned Property Disputes

Many co-owners agree that their property should be sold, but end up deadlocked of whose Realtor should be the listing agent. A simple solution is to allow co-listing whereby two listings agents place the property on the market, thereby allowing each co-owner to have an agent they trust handling the sale of the property. This … Read More

Will Each Co-Owner be Required to Disclose Material Defects About the Property?

Each co-owner of real property in California is legally required to disclose any known material defects or issues that could affect the value or desirability of the property. This obligation to disclose is not only a legal requirement but also a matter of ethical responsibility to ensure transparency and fairness in real estate transactions. Similarly, … Read More

How to Piece Together a Property’s Title History

A property’s title history reveals its ownership trail, liens, and any disputes or irregularities that might affect your rights as the new owner. When purchasing or investing in real property, understanding its title history is crucial. Why is a Property’s Legal Title Important? Legal title is important because Evidence Code § 662 provides that: “The … Read More

Buying and Selling Fractional Interests in Real Estate: Immediate Cash or Full Value?

Fractional ownership in real estate can be both an opportunity and a challenge. Whether you inherited a 50% interest in a property or co-own it with a former romantic partner, disputes or differing goals among co-owners often make it difficult to decide the best path forward. While the ideal solution to unlock the full value … Read More

What Happens When a Joint Tenant Transfers Their Interest? Understanding Joint Tenancy in California

Joint tenancy is a common form of property ownership in California that includes the right of survivorship, meaning when one joint tenant dies, their interest automatically passes to the surviving joint tenant(s). However, what happens if one joint tenant decides to transfer their interest during their lifetime? This is a critical question that often arises … Read More

Quiet Title and Partition Actions for Co-Ownership Disputes

What is a Quiet Title Action Alleging Co-Ownership? Quiet Title in California is under the authority of the California Code of Civil Procedure §760.010 – §764.010. Quiet title actions are one of the most common types of real estate litigation. A quiet title action (also known as action of quiet title) is a lawsuit filed … Read More

Rising Interest Rates #1 Issue in Partitions

Rising Interest Rates on Co-Owner Buyouts in a Partitions

The rise of interest rates that started in mid-2022 is a common concern tor co-owners considering a partition action to end their co-ownership of real property. This is because co-owner buyouts, as are common outcome of a partition action, can be harder to accomplish when the buying co-owner must borrow money at a higher interest … Read More

Should I Use an Escrow for my Co-owner Buyout?

Utilizing an escrow may prove to be a cost-effective way to complete a co-owner buyout as the resolution to a co-ownership dispute. The role of using an escrow company during a real estate transaction is to facilitate a smooth and secure transactions between co-owners by creating trust through the use of a neutral third-party. This … Read More

Title Insurance in a Partition Action

Whether your property is subject to a partition action or you are transferring ownership through a public sale, a clear and marketable title is essential for a smooth transfer of ownership. Real estate litigation often arises from disputes over property titles, highlighting the importance of a comprehensive title insurance policy. Property buyers and lenders alike … Read More

Will a Judgment Lien Attach if there are Prior Interests

Will a Judgment Lien Attach if a Property is Transferred?

Transferring ownership of a property is a common occurrence in the world of real estate, whether it be through a sale, gift, or inheritance. When a property is transferred from one owner to another, it is essential to publicly record the change in ownership through a legally binding document known as a deed. This deed … Read More