Down Payment Recovery

Inheriting a House with an Uncooperative Family Member

Inheriting a home can feel like a blessing, but it often turns into a nightmare when one family member refuses to cooperate. A common problem occurs when a sibling or relative moves into the inherited home, refuses to sell, and doesn’t contribute to property expenses. Meanwhile, the other heirs are left paying taxes, insurance, and … Read More

How Are Proceeds Divided After a Partition Sale?

When co-owners of real estate can no longer agree on how to manage, use, or sell a property, a partition action becomes the legal solution to resolve the dispute. One of the most common outcomes of a partition action is a partition by sale, where the property is sold, and the proceeds are divided among … Read More

What Evidence is Necessary When Requesting Partition Referee for Offsets?

What Evidence is Necessary When Requesting Partition Referee for Offsets?

When one co-owner asserts that they have contributed more than their fair share towards property costs, a partition action offers an opportunity to reclaim unequal payments for down payments, repairs, improvements, mortgage payments, taxes, or similar expenditures. California partition law mandates an partition accounting in all such cases and the court appointed referee will compile … Read More

Why Past Consideration Cannot Support a Contract in California

In California contract law, past consideration cannot form the basis of an enforceable contract. This principle plays a crucial role in real estate and partition disputes, where parties may attempt to retroactively classify a past financial transaction—such as a gift—as a secured loan. This is common in intra-family partitions and ex-boyfriend/ex-girlfriend partitions. Courts have repeatedly … Read More

Down Payment Gifts in Partition Actions

In partition actions, where co-owners seek to divide or sell jointly owned property, the issue of down payment gifts can become a contentious matter. When one party receives a substantial financial gift from their family members or friends, intended to be used as a down payment for their share of the property, it can complicate … Read More

Avoiding Double Counting Errors in Partition Actions

Avoiding Double Counting Errors in Partition Actions: A Common Pitfall in Real Estate Dispute Accounting

Partition actions, which resolve disputes between co-owners of real estate, often involve detailed accounting of costs, contributions, and reimbursements. Despite the best efforts of partition attorneys and courts, one common error that can significantly impact the fairness of a partition judgment is the double counting error. This occurs when costs or contributions are improperly included … Read More

Unequal Down Payments in Property Co-Ownership Disputes & Partition Actions

Unequal Down Payments and Ownership Interests in Property Co-Ownership Disputes (Partition Actions)

One of the most common issues that arises in California real estate co-ownership disputes and related partition actions is the remedy for a party who pays more than their fractional share of the down payment. For example, perhaps Sally and Joe purchase a home together, with Sally paying $100,000 of the down payment, while Joe … Read More

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