McFarland Partition Lawyer

Partition Action Attorneys in McFarland

McFarland is a small city located in Kern County, California. It is situated in the San Joaquin Valley, about 8 miles north of the city of Bakersfield. The population of McFarland was 12,707 at the 2010 census. The city is known for its agricultural production, particularly of grapes, almonds, and citrus fruits. McFarland is also home to a large Hispanic population, with over 80% of the population identifying as Hispanic or Latino. The city is served by the McFarland Unified School District, which includes four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. McFarland is a quiet, rural community with a strong sense of community and a commitment to preserving its agricultural heritage.

Talkov Law’s attorneys serving Kern 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:

  • What is a partition referee? A partition referee is a neutral third party, often times a lawyer or real estate broker, who completes the sale for the co-owners under court authority. The referee is then paid for their services either on an hourly, flat fee, or commission basis, and is relieved by the court of their duties in the case.
  • 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.
  • Can a partition action be filed for both real property and personal property in California? Yes, all co-owned real and personal property can be partitioned under California law. Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 872.020.
  • What is California’s Partition of Real Property Act? Effective January 1, 2023, California’s new partition law allows defendants to buy out the interests of the plaintiff at an appraised value.

Speak to Our McFarland Partition Attorneys Today

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

Call us at (661) 999-3300 or contact us below to schedule a free, 15-minute consultation







    Cloninger v. Moran – Partition Action Case Study

    In the legal case of Cloninger v. Moran, 2012 WL 3800824, H036473 (4-Sep-2012) , 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 siblings had agreed to partition the home, with one sibling taking the upstairs portion and the other taking the downstairs portion. However, the siblings had failed to execute a written agreement to formalize the partition. The dispute arose when one of the siblings attempted to sell the entire home without the consent of the other sibling. The court had to determine whether the partition agreement was valid and enforceable, and if so, how to divide the home. The court ultimately found that the partition agreement was valid and enforceable, and ordered the home to be divided in accordance with the agreement.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Partitions in McFarland

    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 McFarland, 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 McFarland, County of Kern, California

    Our McFarland 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 (661) 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.