Partition Action Attorneys in San Jose
Los Angeles, the largest city in California and second-largest in the U.S., is located on the Southern California coast. Known for its Mediterranean climate and vibrant entertainment industry, the city also boasts iconic landmarks like the Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory.
As a major center for business, finance, and education, Los Angeles thrives culturally, yet its housing market faces significant challenges amidst rising property values and limited supply.
Rising property values, a limited housing supply, and ever-growing demand have created a complex real estate environment. These factors make property ownership disputes increasingly common, underscoring the importance of legal strategies like partition actions to ensure fair resolutions for co-owners navigating Los Angeles’ competitive and evolving housing market.According to Zillow’s Home Value Index, as of mid-2024, the average home price in Los Angeles is around $956,844, reflecting a 4.7% year-over-year increase.
Talkov Law’s attorneys serving Santa Clara County are exceptionally experienced in California partition actions and have conducted over 370 successful 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 feasible, it may order the property to be sold and the proceeds divided among the co-owners.
Get a FREE Case Consultation TodayOur team of partition attorneys can assist co-owners with frequently asked questions about partitions, such as:
- Do I need to go to court to win a partition action? While the partition action must be filed with the court, partition actions rarely involve a trial in which the co-owners appear at court. This means it is extremely unlikely that you will need to step foot in a courtroom. Most partition work is done by motion practice involving tentative rulings with little interaction between the court and the attorneys, let alone the co-owners.
- 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 happens to any debts or liens on the property during a partition action? Secured debts are paid from the sale of the property. Secured lenders named in a partition action are generally dismissed with an agreement to pay the mortgage at the time of the sale.
- In a partition action, can I be reimbursed for paying more than my fair share of the down payment? Yes, partition actions allow for offsets whereby one co-owner claims excess payments for mortgage, taxes, insurance, improvements, repairs and other property expenses
- 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.
Speak to Our San Jose Partition Attorneys Today
Call our Santa Clara County Partition Attorneys today to end your co-ownership dispute. You don’t pay until the house is sold!
Call us at (408) 777-6800 or contact us below to schedule a free, 15-minute consultation
Ashley v. Chinen – Partition Action Case Study
In the legal case of Ashley v. Chinen, Not Reported in Cal.Rptr.2d (2002), the court was tasked with determining the validity of a partition agreement between two parties. The agreement was made between the plaintiff, Ashley, and the defendant, Chinen, and it stated that Ashley would receive a portion of the property in exchange for her relinquishing her interest in the remainder of the property. The court found that the agreement was invalid because it was not properly executed. Specifically, the court found that the agreement did not contain the signatures of both parties, and that it was not properly witnessed or notarized. Additionally, the court found that the agreement was not properly recorded in the county records, as required by law. As a result, the court held that the agreement was invalid and unenforceable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Partitions in Los Angeles
How Long Does a Partition Action Take?
Most Los Angeles 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 depending on the complexity of the case.
Contact our Team of Experienced Partition Lawyers Serving the City of San Jose, County of Santa Clara, California
Our San Jose 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 (408) 777-6800 or contact us online today.
Get a FREE Case Consultation TodayTalkov Law San Jose Office
99 S. Almaden Blvd Suite 600
San Jose, CA 95113
Phone: (408) 777-6800
Our partition attorneys in San Jose also serve Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Mountain View, Los Gatos, Campbell, Milpitas, Fremont, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Willow Glen, Almaden Valley, Cambrian Park, Rose Garden, Berryessa, Evergreen, Downtown San Jose, West San Jose, East San Jose, North San Jose, and South San Jose
Our partition attorneys in Los Angeles also serve: