Del Norte County Real Estate Partition Lawyer
Talkov Law’s attorneys serving Del Norte County are exceptionally experienced in California partition actions and have conducted over 470 for our satisfied clients. A California partition action is a law that allows co-owners of real property to divide the property among themselves. The partition statutes provide a legal mechanism for co-owners to divide the property without having to go through the court system. The partition statutes allow co-owners to divide the property either by agreement or by court order. If the co-owners cannot agree on how to divide the property, then the court will divide the property in a way that is fair and equitable to all parties. The partition statutes also provide that any partition of the property must be in accordance with the laws of the state of California. The legal effect is that these statutes provide a legal mechanism for co-owners to divide their property without having to go through the court system.
Our team of partition attorneys can assist co-owners with frequently asked questions about partitions, such as:
- 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.
- 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).
- Will the plaintiff win a California partition action? The plaintiff almost always prevails in a partition. This is because the right to partition is absolute under California law. Most partition actions result in the Defendant agreeing to sell the property or buyout the plaintiff’s interest in the property, which is generally the plaintiff’s goal.
- How long does a partition action take in California?” Most partition actions are complete in 3 to 6 months because most cases settle in either a buyout or agreed sale. However, some cases can drag on for 6 to 12 months.
- 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.
Del Norte County is a county located in the far northwestern corner of the U.S. state of California. As of the 2010 census, the population was 28,610. The county seat and only incorporated city is Crescent City. Del Norte was one of the original counties of California, created in 1850 at the time of statehood.Del Norte County is located on the far northwest California coast, just south of the Oregon border. The county encompasses a variety of landscapes, including rugged coastline, dense old-growth and mixed forests, and high mountain peaks. The county is home to Redwood National and State Parks, which are home to some of the tallest and oldest trees in the world. The county is also home to numerous rivers, including the Smith, Klamath, and Trinity rivers.Del Norte County is known for its outdoor recreation opportunities, including fishing, camping, hiking, and kayaking. The county is also home to numerous cultural attractions, including the Del Norte County Historical Society Museum, the Crescent City Harbor, and the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.
Speak to Our Del Norte County Partition Attorneys Today
Call our Del Norte County Partition Attorneys today to end your co-ownership dispute. You don’t pay until the house is sold!
Call us at (707) 777-6600 or contact us below to schedule a free, 15-minute consultation
Summers v. Superior Court – Partition Action Case Study
In the legal case of Summers v. Superior Court, 24 Cal.App.5th 138 (2018), the issue of partition was at the center of the dispute. The case involved a dispute between two siblings over the ownership of a family home. The siblings had inherited the home from their parents, and the sister had been living in the home for many years. The brother sought to partition the home, which would have required the sister to move out. The sister argued that partition was not an appropriate remedy in this case, as it would be inequitable to force her to move out of the home she had been living in for so long. The court ultimately agreed with the sister, finding that partition was not an appropriate remedy in this case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Partitions in Del Norte County
How Much Does a Partition Action Cost in Del Norte County?
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.
Who Can File a Partition Action in Del Norte County?
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.
Who Pays for a Partition Action?
In Del Norte County, 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).
Can a Partition Action Be Stopped in Del Norte County?
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 Del Norte County, California
Our Del Norte County 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 (707) 777-6600 or contact us online today.
Serving Areas Throughout California
There is only one incorporated city in Del Norte County, California, which is Crescent City, Crescent City, Smith River, Gasquet, Klamath, and Hiouchi